Let it splash the speed..........
The game's menus have been updated, and although the general layout of the free-for-all arcade and more serious simulation modes remain, the organization of races has changed.
In simulation mode, players now have the option to take part in races as they appear on a series calendar. These series-of which there are typically three to five races-are split by championship events that happen about once every in-game month. The advantage of this system is that you focus on one series at a time, rather than get wrapped up in competing in many at once. This arrangement isn't for everyone, so there's always the option to select individual races one by one à la Forza Motorsport 2 (FM2).
The Cars
As always, Forza delivers an impressive list of cars. Vehicles such as the Ferrari FXX, Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series, Audi R8 5.2 V-10, and Bugatti Veyron had us excited from the start, and the thought of bolting go-fast goodies onto cars like these had us squealing like little girls.
But let's not forget to mention some of the other stars that appear in the game, cars such as the Nissan 370Z, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Pontiac G8, Ford Focus RS, and Lotus Evora. The race-car lineup is also impressive, including the Audi R10 TDI, Aston Martin DBR9, BMW M3 GT2, Chevrolet Corvette C6.R, and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. The only real disappointment here is that five of the hottest cars in the game-the Aston Martin DBS, the Chevy Corvette ZR1, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, the Lambo Gallardo Superleggera, and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS-are only available through the purchase of a "Limited Collector's Edition" version.
There's nothing more disheartening than finding the 430 Scuderia with a big lock icon over it, but we found adequate comfort in modifying the other cars. Intakes, exhausts, turbochargers, suspensions, brakes, roll cages-the list of add-ons is extensive. For most cars, there's a huge catalog of aftermarket parts from real companies available to give your favorite vehicle that extra oomph in an authentic manner. And if the "go" isn't enough, there's plenty of "show" available by way of wheels, body kits, and paint options.
Likewise, complete drivetrain swaps return, and they seem more impressive now than ever. Having the ability to swap in the ZR1 drivetrain, for example, alleviates some of the stress from not being able to get at the car itself. Notable in-game C/D project cars include a 265-plus-mph Veyron, Audi R8 street car with an R10 TDI Le Mans racer drivetrain, and 2010 Chevrolet Camaro with a stock-car engine.
A "quick upgrade" feature has been introduced. This allows you to select the class of vehicle with which you'd like to compete and then automatically optimize the upgrades on the selected vehicle. Those familiar with juggling upgrades around to fit into certain race classes in Forza 2 will appreciate the convenience of this feature, but be sure to double-check the computer's choice of modifications. We've noticed that the quick upgrade feature does a good job of getting your car into the class you want in a swift fashion, but it doesn't necessarily balance the parts it chooses. For example, the computer might invest more money in power adders than in tires and suspension, resulting in a fast car that can't turn.