Forza Motorsports 3

[WickerBill]

is awesome. Get it. Race me.

[Sean Malone]

Tried the demo. Loved Forza 2. My nephew called me yesterday to tell me he's been playing it pretty much non stop for the last 3 days.
Hope to pick it up soon.

[nrc]

As much as I love racing I've always found driving games frustrating. I really can't play without a wheel and pedals and they're just too much trouble to keep handy.

I had a blast playing Ferrari F355 Challenge with three screens and force feedback at Dave and Busters not long ago but I can't fit one of those in our basement.

[mapguy]

pfft.... rFactor is the ultimate racing sim.

[Sean Malone]

As much as I love racing I've always found driving games frustrating. I really can't play without a wheel and pedals and they're just too much trouble to keep handy.

I had a blast playing Ferrari F355 Challenge with three screens and force feedback at Dave and Busters not long ago but I can't fit one of those in our basement.

Back in the late 90's I was really into Grand Prix 2. Spent $200 on a wheel and pedals (spring loaded, back before affordable force feedback) and it was fun...for like a month. Took up too much room, pain to setup etc. Went through Forza 1 on the original Xbox. It was ok'ish, the best 'sim' for any console at the time (Grand Turismo has been and continues to be an arcade racer...).
Forza 2 for the 360 really raised the level for the console racers. I bought a force feedback wheel which was way too vague for my tastes. the 360 controller has an incredibly sensitive rumble pack. I'm always amazed at how much feed back I get through the controller.
I hate that there aren't any open wheel cars in Forza though. F1 licenses to Sony so the F1 racer is PS3 only, but way too arcady to be worth recommending.
F1 has opened up the licensing though...in 2010 Codemasters is releasing 'F1 2010' for the PS3, Xbox360 and Windows. It's built on their game engine that they used for 'Race Driver: GRID' which sucks. The physics are horrible compared to Forza 2/3.

Here's a wikipedia comparison of sim features. rFactor looks to be fairly competitive but waaaaaay behind the times in graphics. Hell, Forza 1 on the original Xbox had full scene anti-aliasing.

comparo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_racing_simulators)

[mapguy]

rFactor looks to be fairly competitive but waaaaaay behind the times in graphics.[/URL]

rFactor is also several years old. rFactor 2 is in development. Can Forza do this?

http://i37.tinypic.com/m93mkx.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/2912azo.jpg

http://i34.tinypic.com/b48cvr.jpg

[Tifosi24]

pfft.... rFactor is the ultimate racing sim.

I second that motion. ISI has consistently produced better, and better, games over the past 10 years and I am interested to see how rFactor2 will be. Hopefully, I will have some more time this winter to race.

[oddlycalm]

As much as I love racing I've always found driving games frustrating. I really can't play without a wheel and pedals and they're just too much trouble to keep handy.
That's me as well. Too much clutter and after sitting here all day I'm not into sitting here all night. I'm sure I could become addicted given half a chance...

oc

[emjaya]

I haven't moved on from Grand Prix Legends. :gomer:

[WickerBill]

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/101/1015418/forza-motorsport-3-20090819022820830.jpg



http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/101/1011544/forza-motorsport-3-20090806114719950.jpg



http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/994/994380/forza-motorsport-3-20090612002003646.jpg

[Sean Malone]

Sorry mapguy dude...those screen shots look like total ass compared to Forza 2/3. I would personally be ebarressed to post them...but that's me. :)

If you're referring to the cars... well, between both F2 and F3...there are 749, I repeat...749 cars available.

You should start a thread when rFactor 2 gets full scene anti aliasing, dynamic reflections and displacement mapping (or in other words, graphic technology that isn't 9 years old.).

[mapguy]

Sorry mapguy dude...those screen shots look like total ass compared to Forza 2/3. I would personally be ebarressed to post them...but that's me. :)

If you're referring to the cars... well, between both F2 and F3...there are 749, I repeat...749 cars available.

You should start a thread when rFactor 2 gets full scene anti aliasing, dynamic reflections and displacement mapping (or in other words, graphic technology that isn't 9 years old.).

I guess I am just concerned about the physics and the selection of mods that area available. Can you get 1967 Can-Am cars and tracks? How about 1979, 88 and 91 F1 cars and tracks? 1998 through 2008 CART/ChampCars and tracks? 1970 Sports Cars and tracks? All with realistic physics? Don't think so.

Have fun with the rice rockets and modern stuff. I'll be having fun rocketing around LeMans with my 917.

[miatanut]

I haven't moved on from Grand Prix Legends. :gomer:

I still haven't given up trying to get GPL to run on a Mac!

I have a nice EA F1 2000 sim, but I want to drive he-man F1 cars.

[WickerBill]

I guess I am just concerned about the physics and the selection of mods that area available. Can you get 1967 Can-Am cars and tracks? How about 1979, 88 and 91 F1 cars and tracks? 1998 through 2008 CART/ChampCars and tracks? 1970 Sports Cars and tracks? All with realistic physics? Don't think so.

Have fun with the rice rockets and modern stuff. I'll be having fun rocketing around LeMans with my 917.


Physics, yes -- the Forza physics engine/modeling are second to none. There are close to 500 cars on day one (with tons of them coming via downloadable content later), and over 125 tracks on day one (same thing). Laguna Seca, Elkhart Lake, Le Mans, Nurburgring, Sebring, Road Atlanta, Motegi, Silverstone, etc etc etc.

Add to that really, really top-notch online play, and it is one stellar game. It may not match your beloved game, but I'm absolutely not asking you to light your old game on fire and swear allegiance to Forza. I'm just asking you to buy it and race me. Jeebus.

[mapguy]

Physics, yes -- the Forza physics engine/modeling are second to none. There are close to 500 cars on day one (with tons of them coming via downloadable content later), and over 125 tracks on day one (same thing). Laguna Seca, Elkhart Lake, Le Mans, Nurburgring, Sebring, Road Atlanta, Motegi, Silverstone, etc etc etc.

Add to that really, really top-notch online play, and it is one stellar game. It may not match your beloved game, but I'm absolutely not asking you to light your old game on fire and swear allegiance to Forza. I'm just asking you to buy it and race me. Jeebus.

Is it a PC game or console? If it is for the PC I'll definitely give it a shot.

[dando]

Is it a PC game or console? If it is for the PC I'll definitely give it a shot.

Xbox.

-Kevin

[Sean Malone]

Xbox.

-Kevin

Xbox 360. There's a big difference. :)

Plus with Live racing, network equivalency and NO CHEATING is leap years beyond what I've experienced in PC racing scenes.

Oh, and not to seem like too much of a fanboi, the screen shots that WB posted above are post rendered 'photo mode' pics. They are 'in engine' pics but not real time. Sony is famous for using 'photo mode' pics for their GT series.

[dando]

Xbox 360. There's a big difference. :)

NSS. :p And yes, you are an Xbox 360 fanboi. :gomer: ;)

-Kevin

[Tim]

Too bad it's not for PS3. If it it was I'd look into it.

[ChampcarShark]

Too bad it's not for Nintendo. If it it was I'd look into it.

[Sean Malone]

Too bad it's not for Nintendo. If it it was I'd look into it.

Just be happy with Mario Kart. :)

[nrc]

Alas, I cannot play it on my system.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Atari2600a.JPG/800px-Atari2600a.JPG

[Sean Malone]

Defender...Pit Fall!...Asteroids...Missile Command...the memories, sweet, sweet memories!:cry:

[miatanut]

Alas, I cannot play it on my system.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Atari2600a.JPG/800px-Atari2600a.JPG

The exact one we had. :laugh:

Used to play tanks with my dad, who was an actual tank lieutenant in the army, and hit him with curve balls when he thought he was safe behind something. Once he figured out the curve balls, we had some great tank fights.

[Gnam]

is awesome. Get it. Race me.

I'll be the white car.

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3848/enduro1983activision2.png

[Winston Wolfe]

Xbox 360. There's a big difference. :)

Plus with Live racing, network equivalency and NO CHEATING is leap years beyond what I've experienced in PC racing scenes.

Oh, and not to seem like too much of a fanboi, the screen shots that WB posted above are post rendered 'photo mode' pics. They are 'in engine' pics but not real time. Sony is famous for using 'photo mode' pics for their GT series.

Can you recommend a good quality steering wheel to go with this game or with the XBOX360 system ? This sounds like a good time for me to get the whole set-up. Any help would be welcomed....

[Trevor Longman]

I am and always will be a Gran Turismo fan. That said, I believe the forza series have improved leaps and bounds in the edition. I even bought an Xbox 360 and a copy of Forza 3 on its release day. I have become a big ALMS fan since the demise of champ car, and with forza's lineup of great modern and classic sports cars I just couldn't pass it up. Audi R10, Peugeot 908, Dyson Lola Mazola, All the Acura LMP's from LMP1 and LMP2. Then there's the GT's, Corvette C6.R, Aston Martin DBR9, Porsche GT2, Ferrari GT2 and the BMW GT2. Of course they also have something for those of you still living in the 70's and 80's. How about a Porsche 956 or a Ferrari P4? Anyway, add all those and much more to a track list of over 115 tracks and that is a potent combo. This game has given me more enjoyment than any other game I have ever played and I would highly recommend it.

As I 1st stated though, I am a Gran Turismo fan. They put so much time and effort into their games that you know they will produce a quality product. After 5 years in development, this is what they have come up with:

http://www.gtpla.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/gran-turismo-5-lamborghini-ferrari-larger-14.jpg

http://www.gtpla.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/gran-turismo-5-lamborghini-ferrari-larger-19.jpg

More:
http://www.gtplanet.net/new-ferrari-lamborghini-gran-turismo-5-screenshots/gran-turismo-5-lamborghini-ferrari-larger-18/
http://www.gtplanet.net/viper-acr-sls-in-latest-gran-turismo-5-screens/
http://www.gtplanet.net/gran-turismo-5-screenshots-feature-wrcrally-cars/gran-turismo-5-screenshots-race-cars-tokyo-8/

BTW, Gran Turismo 5 comes out March 2010 so you have plenty of time to buy and thoroughly enjoy both great games.

[Sean Malone]

I am and always will be a Gran Turismo fan. That said, I believe the forza series have improved leaps and bounds in the edition. I even bought an Xbox 360 and a copy of Forza 3 on its release day. I have become a big ALMS fan since the demise of champ car, and with forza's lineup of great modern and classic sports cars I just couldn't pass it up. Audi R10, Peugeot 908, Dyson Lola Mazola, All the Acura LMP's from LMP1 and LMP2. Then there's the GT's, Corvette C6.R, Aston Martin DBR9, Porsche GT2, Ferrari GT2 and the BMW GT2. Of course they also have something for those of you still living in the 70's and 80's. How about a Porsche 956 or a Ferrari P4? Anyway, add all those and much more to a track list of over 115 tracks and that is a potent combo. This game has given me more enjoyment than any other game I have ever played and I would highly recommend it.

As I 1st stated though, I am a Gran Turismo fan. They put so much time and effort into their games that you know they will produce a quality product. After 5 years in development, this is what they have come up with:

http://www.gtpla.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/gran-turismo-5-lamborghini-ferrari-larger-14.jpg

http://www.gtpla.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/gran-turismo-5-lamborghini-ferrari-larger-19.jpg

More:
http://www.gtplanet.net/new-ferrari-lamborghini-gran-turismo-5-screenshots/gran-turismo-5-lamborghini-ferrari-larger-18/
http://www.gtplanet.net/viper-acr-sls-in-latest-gran-turismo-5-screens/
http://www.gtplanet.net/gran-turismo-5-screenshots-feature-wrcrally-cars/gran-turismo-5-screenshots-race-cars-tokyo-8/

BTW, Gran Turismo 5 comes out March 2010 so you have plenty of time to buy and thoroughly enjoy both great games.

it's nice to see that you enjoy both platforms Trevor. Considering how long the series has been in development I'm sure that GT5 will be a solid performer. I've found that the physics have lacked that 'seat of the pants' feel that the Forza series has had since it's debut, but maybe that will change with GT5. The pics you posted are all 'photo mode' rendered shots however, a trick Sony has used for marketing the GT series for years.

The best sim physics I've ever experienced though in a racer was an ancient, hardly known PC sim called Viper Racing. It was one of those bargain bin games that no one bought. It only consisted of Vipers, but the 'feel' of the car was second to none even to the point were a pound of tire air adjustment was 'felt'.

[Tifosi24]

Viper Racing, now that is going way back. I played that game non-stop during my sophomore year of high school. It was a challenging game and put a premium on smooth driving since even small mistakes could damage the car. If it has online racing capabilities, even though it is over 10 years old, it could be a lot of fun to race in even today.

[jcollins28]

is awesome. Get it. Race me.

I would but boy did the F up the multilayer portion of this game. Every time I get into a damn room it is empty!