Forza Horizon 2 Review: Pedal to another medal
Forza Horizon was the coming together of everything that has made the Forza series great, and blending it into a more laid back tune. The formula worked, and the Xbox 360 birthed a beautiful racing experience. In Forza Horizon 2, the engine is revved again and flies towards another strong finish.
Although Forza Motorsport 5 was a launch title for the Xbox One, Forza Horizon 2 is not that experience. Once again based around a festival experience, Horizon 2 blazes its own trail.
The game starts out with the driver blazing along the French coast towards the festival. Tasked with taking a brand new Lamborghini Huracan to the festival center, the game immediately shows off its stunning visuals.
As you start your journey, it is quickly apparent that the game set in Italy and France, is designed to show off not only 300 roads, but hundreds of miles of countryside. Races encourage you to bolt through farmland and fields as you rip towards your eventual finish line.
“The visuals of Forza Horizon 2 on Xbox One are impressive from the get go, but the true jaw dropping moment has to be when the rain falls.”
There are once again challenges littered throughout the game map, just waiting to be conquered. However, should you decide to spend countless hours roaring through the roads on your own, there is more than enough to keep you entertained. The free play mode will undoubtedly offer one of the most expansive forms of entertainment on the Xbox One.
While playing through the career portion of Forza Horizon 2, the traditional career mode from the first game has been somewhat shelved. Now, a wristband enabled championship series takes its place. As you progress through the game, you compete in championships, which are sets of races, and they are unlocked by acquiring more prestigious wristbands, a theme that fits well into the festival.
Despite the championships consisting of races, there is plenty of fun and exciting events that aren’t limited to competing against other cars. At points, you’ll find yourself driving against a speeding train or a fleet of stunt planes, something that Forza Horizon 2 captures the excitement of very well.
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Making an entrance in the Forza Horizon 2 experience is the Drivatar. You will constantly be racing against your peers in some form or another. Friends, and people you have played with and against, will have their skills shown off as your competition throughout the experience.
In Forza Horizon 2, the leveling system has gotten an overhaul as well. While it is easier to level up, a wheel based system has been implemented to reward you as you progress. Due to this, unlocking cars is more luck of the draw at some points, but there is so much content in the game, this is far from a downfall.
On the Xbox One, next generation racing is brought to the forefront. As whether and location impact car handling, each situation allows you to feel as though you are genuinely commanding a ton of horsepower, and that it reacts correctly. The gameplay has been fine tuned to perfection.
“After building a strong foundation with Forza Horizon, Forza Horizon 2 takes the formula, tweaks it a little, and perfects it for the next generation experience.”
As we mentioned, the visuals of Forza Horizon 2 on Xbox One are impressive from the get go, but the true jaw dropping moment has to be when the rain falls. As the roads gleam and the cars glisten, you truly get the sense that perfection has been achieved with Forza Horizon 2.
While the new racer isn’t groundbreaking, it knew it didn’t need to be. After building a strong foundation with Forza Horizon, Forza Horizon 2 takes the formula, tweaks it a little, and perfects it for the next generation experience. Forza Horizon 2 is a racer that will have you coming back for more for many months to come.
The Good
- Stunning and breathtaking visuals
- Festival theme still feels fresh
- Tight gameplay and handling felt through each vehicle
The Bad
- Somewhat slow unlocking system
- Championship races can get tedious