Forza Motorsport 7 reviews: critics hail ‘beautiful’ racer

Players will sink hours into the revamped
career mode packed with 700 cars

Review

Developed by Turn 10 Studios, Forza Motorsport 7 has been two
years in the making. It features a host of new cars and iconic
circuits such as the 12.9-mile Nurburgring in Germany and the
Japanese grand prix circuit Suzuka. 

The game places greater emphasis on driver customisation than
its predecessors, allowing players to put on outfits ranging from
professional motor sport gear to police costumes. 

It’s the biggest and most graphically detailed entry into the
series yet, but does it live up to the high expectations the
Motorsport franchise has set over the past decade?

Critics have already posted  reviews of the game, although
final verdicts aren’t expected until Monday. 

Graphics

Forza Motorsport 7 is one of the games expected to reveal the
true performance of Microsoft’s upcoming high-powered Xbox One X
console, which launches on 7 November. 

The games runs at 4K resolution and 60fps on the One X, along
with HDR (high dynamic range) lighting effects that boost contrast
ratios. These specs will be similar for those playing on a high-end
PC. 

Meanwhile, the regular Xbox One version runs at 1080p and 60fps,
while players with the more recent Xbox One S are also treated to
HDR effects. 

While the Xbox One X version “is very beautiful”, Polygon argues that the racing game’s graphical
performance is equally as impressive on the regular Xbox
One. 

“It’s a lovely game that shows off moody skies, shining asphalt,
gleaming cars and a wide variety of landscapes, from the sands of
Dubai to the streets of Prague,” the website says. 

However, Trusted Reviews  says the game’s HDR effects
make “a huge difference” and will tempt players “to invest in the
latest telly tech”.

Features

Turn 10 Studios has upped the number of tracks to 32 from the 27
in Forza Motorsport 6, while the vehicle count has been increased
to 700 from the 450 in the old game. 

These cars feel easier to control than those in the more
simulation-focused game Project Cars 2, says Games Radar, giving you a greater feeling
of how the car is behaving on track and “allowing you to drive
accordingly to stay on the black stuff”. 

Along with the “superior” handling model, the website says the
game’s “presentation is superb” and the artificial intelligence
(AI) performance “is far more balanced” than previous entries in
the series. 

The revamped career mode is a “swath of variety” that makes
playing the game for hours on end “feel like a breeze”, says
Gamespot.

There’s also the addition of loot crates, the site says, which
can be bought for in-game credits and “offer a balanced mix of
cosmetic and practical items”. These can include outfits for your
avatar or a new car.

Price and release

Those who pre-ordered the £79.99 Ultimate edition of the game on
Amazon, which comes with a season pass for
future downloadable content packs and VIP membership for in-game
perks, can access the game from today.

The £64.99 Deluxe version, which includes the VIP
membership, can also download the game today. 

However, standard versions of the game launch on
the Xbox One and PC on 3 October, costing £41.99 each.