bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Forza Motorsport 2 (Xbox 360)

• Racing
• Simulation

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: online play,over 300 cars,auction cars,customization,damage,

Weaknesses: graphics,sound,no great leap in SIM games,

Summary: Forza Motorsport 2 is one of the best racing SIMS currently available on the 360. Graphics are good but could use some polishing. The biggest update in Forza 2 is the online experience. Now players have the ability to buy cars online through an auction setup. Tournaments, user info and other online features have also become much more user friendly. Unlike other racing SIMS, Forza also does allow for cars to be damaged. This damage will not only affect your vehicle visually but can hamper some of your driving as well. The damage shown in Forza is not as impressive as those in the burnout series but it does add some realism to the game. If you are a car enthusiast I highly suggest Forza 2. Will loads of customization options, and a healthy online setup Forza 2 will keep gamers busy for a while.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Great graphics, solid racing simulator, lots of real cars to race

Weaknesses: A little difficult and overwhelming for the casual player

Summary: Forza Motorsport 2 is much like the Playstation's Gran Turismo series. It is a serious racing simulator that is all about making realistic looking and handling cars based on real cars. As such, it is an excellent title. If you are really into cars and into tuning and tweaking and endless amount of customization then this is the game for you. For the casual racing fan who likes more arcade-like racers, Forza 2 probably does not fit the bill.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Realistic. Many cars customizable

Weaknesses: Nothing to complain

Summary: Forza Motorsport 2 is one of the best racing games available to XBox 360. It has faily good garphics and sound. The car control is more realistic than other racing games. Car customization gives you more freedom to play with. Surely, Forza Motorsport 2 is one of the best games available to XBox 360.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4

Strengths: simulatorcustomizeable carsnumber of carson-line

Weaknesses: simulator

Summary: I've played PGR3, and I definitely think that this is a better game. There are simply more cars, and each car is highly customizable. I felt that this was something that was lacking in PGR3. It's really fun being able to race "normal" cars (Eg. non-exotics) with your friends. This is especially true if your real-life daily driver is available in the game. Forza Motorsport 2 is the best racing simulator for Xbox 360. However, if you enjoy arcade style racing, then this may not be the game for you.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Cars, physics, realism.

Weaknesses: Frequent collision penalties (even when AI is rubbing you out).

Summary: I only played easy racers in the past, like NFS:Underground. This game is a real challenge that I enjoy very much. I am happy with the graphics, I hear other games have better but Forza 2 is sufficient in this department. It's real focus is in the driving. It's enjoyable with or without a wheel, but of course the wheel has made this a complete experience. I use a Microsoft wheel and it's very nice. Only bad thing is, you have no trigger buttons so navigating some of the menus is impossible, but it isn't too important.One gripe I have is the AI cars will rub you out or turn into you very frequently. You receive a time penalty for the contact time. It isn't really a two-way street as far as racing "courtesy" goes. You will avoid their cars like the plague while they are happy to rub you off the track. If you drive like the rest of the AI cars you will be penalized. It isn't horrible, but it can be tough to run a flawless race.Also, read prayformojo2's review, it's dead on.