I just realised that my XBL gold ran out a month ago, lol. That's probably why.
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Forza Horizon demo impressions
- Thread starter CrunchinJelly
- Start date
I just realised that my XBL gold ran out a month ago, lol. That's probably why.
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Banned
I enjoyed the demo and will buy the full game, besides, it looks stunning at times.
I definitely get a Dirt 2 feeling from the game.
However Im looking forward to Most Wanted a lot more.
I love the Criterion boys and Hot Pursuit is my favorite arcade racing game this gen.
Criterion's handling model is a thing of fantasy and I find that more entertaining.
When you drive off road in Forza the car looks like its been through a car wash.
Criterion makes the cars look like they gone through hell and I love that.
I definitely get a Dirt 2 feeling from the game.
However Im looking forward to Most Wanted a lot more.
I love the Criterion boys and Hot Pursuit is my favorite arcade racing game this gen.
Criterion's handling model is a thing of fantasy and I find that more entertaining.
When you drive off road in Forza the car looks like its been through a car wash.
Criterion makes the cars look like they gone through hell and I love that.
BrokenSymmetry
Member
This is true. Just to be sure, I just played some PGR4, and that game's handling really is very different. The PGR games have always had that very stable, non-skitty, but at the same time very precise handling. This made it easier than sims, but also encouraged the same precise driving that you would do in sims, trying to hit every apex exactly. No other game has been able to replicate this handling model.
This Horizon demo left me a little disappointed. It just wasn't very exciting. The sound and feedback is lacking, and the handling feels too much like NFS Hot Pursuit for me.
Man, just playing PGR4 for a few minutes made me feel so good. Still such an amazing game. And there are still some people playing in the daily tournaments.
endresults
Member
Fun demo, will buy at $20
OldJadedGamer
Banned
I picked it up after retry mode was added in.
Enjoyed the demo. Played about 2 hours. lol.
Rumble is almost non-existent with the wireless joypad. It feels sterile. Feels a lot better with the wired joypad, and awesome with the wheel. But I think it is more fun to play with the joy for long sessions.
The car sounds are low.. its looks like FM4 with the default settings. I hope the full game will have the same options for sounds as FM4.
The graphics are very good.. awesome skyboxes. Night looks better then I expected from videos. Almost jaggie free. Theres some weird shadows in some locations, but most of the time it is really good.
Gameplay wise, I think the stability control is on by default? It has the FM4 feel, but a bit more forgiving. I really don't like the dumbed down collision physics. You don't feel the car weight on crashes.
I liked all the 3 races on the demo, and driving the first race location in free roam is a blast. Shame you can't race the AI in the demo.
Rumble is almost non-existent with the wireless joypad. It feels sterile. Feels a lot better with the wired joypad, and awesome with the wheel. But I think it is more fun to play with the joy for long sessions.
The car sounds are low.. its looks like FM4 with the default settings. I hope the full game will have the same options for sounds as FM4.
The graphics are very good.. awesome skyboxes. Night looks better then I expected from videos. Almost jaggie free. Theres some weird shadows in some locations, but most of the time it is really good.
Gameplay wise, I think the stability control is on by default? It has the FM4 feel, but a bit more forgiving. I really don't like the dumbed down collision physics. You don't feel the car weight on crashes.
I liked all the 3 races on the demo, and driving the first race location in free roam is a blast. Shame you can't race the AI in the demo.
TheDrizzlerJ11
Member
Demo is great, one major complaint is the collisions. Going 175 and I hit a guy head on, it just slows me to 90 and I don't spin out or anything. Just so wrong.
drugstore_cowboy
Member
Crashes do suck but the oncoming cars can be hard to see until it's too late. Head/tail lights could do with being a bit brighter imo.
Really impressed with the lighting, usually for Forza games I'll end up using a custom preset to lessen the overdone HDR, with FH I can just drop the saturation down a couple of notches and it all looks pretty natural.
Any confirmation on the anti aliasing method? A little on the soft side but far better image quality than the other games.
edit: (spoilers)
http://www.forzaplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2307
Really impressed with the lighting, usually for Forza games I'll end up using a custom preset to lessen the overdone HDR, with FH I can just drop the saturation down a couple of notches and it all looks pretty natural.
Any confirmation on the anti aliasing method? A little on the soft side but far better image quality than the other games.
edit: (spoilers)
http://www.forzaplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2307
Delusibeta
Banned
Honestly? Demo is great, but I get the feeling that it'll be even better if it was a PGR spin-off, rather than a Forza spin-off. It certainly feels like PGR with all the numbers appearing out of nowhere for doing drifts and stuff.
We should be best friends. Even though (I believe) they were told to "arcade" it up over PGR3 to differentiate b/w itself and FM, I think it was a change for the better. It's a shame we haven't had a game that drives as well as it since. The only things that have come close IMO are Blur and the driving bits of Blood Stone.
Anyway, it just doesn't feel right for me at the moment. You really don't have an idea of where your traction is with the controller. It might be vibration (I agreed with someone else, others agreed with me) but it could be something else... joystick sensitivity/acceleration, dead zone (though I did play with that a bit) or maybe something else. But it just feels kind of loose and I dunno, "distant"?
RaceManIak
Neo Member
Just tested the demo with my Fanatec GT2, it's a fun concept game, a mix of TDU1 and Dirt2... without the good physics.
For now my wheel setting is SEN 720, FFB 100, DRI 000, spr OFF (for remove the stupid center spring) et dpr -3 for have just a little wheel weight.
I play with no assists, except the cltuch.
1- It's not a 1:1 wheel physics, the wheel emulate a gamepad so its hard to put the car where you want ( particularly in traffic), aka the car float on the road.
2- In the limits of the car you have absolutly no feeling of the road, even on evelation changes, but it's not new, all Forza tracks are like a pool table since the begining
3- The FFB wake up when you lose control, but tell you what you have to do the keep the control, not what the car really do (hello fm4).
4- I don't have a lot of fun to drive, it's more scary than fun because you never know how the car will react.
For now my wheel setting is SEN 720, FFB 100, DRI 000, spr OFF (for remove the stupid center spring) et dpr -3 for have just a little wheel weight.
I play with no assists, except the cltuch.
1- It's not a 1:1 wheel physics, the wheel emulate a gamepad so its hard to put the car where you want ( particularly in traffic), aka the car float on the road.
2- In the limits of the car you have absolutly no feeling of the road, even on evelation changes, but it's not new, all Forza tracks are like a pool table since the begining
3- The FFB wake up when you lose control, but tell you what you have to do the keep the control, not what the car really do (hello fm4).
4- I don't have a lot of fun to drive, it's more scary than fun because you never know how the car will react.
drugstore_cowboy
Member
Are you dialing down the glitched 900 degree mode or just starting the wheel up at 720?
Diablohead
Member
The intro video reminds me of a PS1 racing game intro like NFS or Road Rash with the recorded fmv intro, kind of cheesy but cool.
RaceManIak
Neo Member
I started the game at 900 (SEN OFF) but down to SEN 720 to have a better conrol, especially on gravel
drugstore_cowboy
Member
You could try giving the glitched mode a go, it's a lot less twitchy around the centre, pretty numb in fact, from there dial it down to something between 720 and 540. Can't say you'll like it, different feeling altogether.
Neuromancer
Member
Will there a way in the full game to turn off certain songs on certain stations? Because there are some awful ones.
Can you customize your dude so he's not wearing a big green ugly watch?
Other than those two things demo was great. I was already sold on the game but now I'm extra excited about it. Oh yeah and the cockpit camera is excellent, screw you Codemasters.
Can you customize your dude so he's not wearing a big green ugly watch?
Other than those two things demo was great. I was already sold on the game but now I'm extra excited about it. Oh yeah and the cockpit camera is excellent, screw you Codemasters.
Vire
Member
What resolution is this game running at?
I gave it a spin and I feel like the image quality should be better at 30 FPS. Backgrounds are slightly blurred and I'm not seeing the visual bump that made it worth forgoing the 60 FPS.
The UI is also really bad in this game, it's like a bad DIRT ripoff. The Forza games used to have such elegant and clean looking interfaces.
I will say, some of the music stands out, there's a few head scratching tracks, but these guys get it. Driving free-roam is also really relaxing, I love that aspect.
It seems like a well enough made game, but I'm preferring Turn 10's take.
I gave it a spin and I feel like the image quality should be better at 30 FPS. Backgrounds are slightly blurred and I'm not seeing the visual bump that made it worth forgoing the 60 FPS.
The UI is also really bad in this game, it's like a bad DIRT ripoff. The Forza games used to have such elegant and clean looking interfaces.
I will say, some of the music stands out, there's a few head scratching tracks, but these guys get it. Driving free-roam is also really relaxing, I love that aspect.
It seems like a well enough made game, but I'm preferring Turn 10's take.
i had a fun time with the demo and there seems to be a lot to do, but it definitely doesnt feel like "full sim" settings from fm4 which is disappointing (even if expected). also, weird to get points for wrecking stuff and seeing a ferrari (?) cut waaaay across a field of dirt around a big corner. will buy though
XtremeXpider
Member
720p?
CrunchinJelly
formerly cjelly
Yeah, there are upgrades but no tuning.
higherARC05
Banned
The IQ was super clean and crisp. Suprised when I saw it on my 50in 1080p thought the game was a cg cinematic in the beginning then turned out to be gameplay.
The game looks gorgeous with the volumetric lighting from the sun and the world gives off that Alan Wake mountain side landscapes. The race with the plane looked stunning in the canyons. You can actually see the plane fly around and menuver to the next checkpoint and when it flys above you it gives a nice visual effect of camera shake and motion blur.
Vire
Member
higherARC05
Banned
when you see that viper riding on the road and the camera spins around i thought it was pre rendered cause the IQ is so crisp and clean like i said. The jump in AA from FM4 to this is hugely noticeable.
XtremeXpider
Member
He is not the only one who say great IQ.
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Banned
I thought the game looked amazing but I had an easier time controlling the cars in Hot Pursuit.
I do agree the cars in Forza Horizon felt distant.
Bring on Most Wanted.
I do agree the cars in Forza Horizon felt distant.
Bring on Most Wanted.
It's really a beautiful game, but I'm not entirely sure I understand what genres of racing it fits into. The cars handle much more heavily/realistic than that of Arcade racers like Burnout/NFS and I like the Festival setting. I think the open world they've created is really wonderful- I kept zooming into the cockpit view just to admire the Autumn-esque scenery.
The soundtrack selection included does seem like more of a mixed bag. I can't say I appreciate Lost Prophets/MIA, but hearing some Icarus and looking at the song selections revealed, it should be fun to free roam to. I think I enjoyed free roaming the best. I hope the Photo Mode is grand, as I'll probably have the most fun with that.
It's hard to bet against Criterion as far as Open world Arcade racers go. It was strange that I kept nudging some of the competitors expecting to see "TAKEDOWN" flash on the screen. It'll be difficult to pick between these two, and I hope that some interesting comparison thread starts discussion on which is right for what type of player.
The soundtrack selection included does seem like more of a mixed bag. I can't say I appreciate Lost Prophets/MIA, but hearing some Icarus and looking at the song selections revealed, it should be fun to free roam to. I think I enjoyed free roaming the best. I hope the Photo Mode is grand, as I'll probably have the most fun with that.
It's hard to bet against Criterion as far as Open world Arcade racers go. It was strange that I kept nudging some of the competitors expecting to see "TAKEDOWN" flash on the screen. It'll be difficult to pick between these two, and I hope that some interesting comparison thread starts discussion on which is right for what type of player.
Neuromancer
Member
Anyone with a wheel having any luck making steering a little more sensitive?
Played the demo and I think it is amazing! I'll buy ASAP.
The only serious con (wich is not just a game design decision tha I disagree with) is the absense of rumble on the pad. It's something crucial to feel what's happening with the car, the tires, etc. Forza 4 is superb in that aspect, but Horizon has this flaw. I hope that they'll fix it. I'll play with my wired pad to see if it gets better.
The only serious con (wich is not just a game design decision tha I disagree with) is the absense of rumble on the pad. It's something crucial to feel what's happening with the car, the tires, etc. Forza 4 is superb in that aspect, but Horizon has this flaw. I hope that they'll fix it. I'll play with my wired pad to see if it gets better.
Stripper13
Member
Played demo. Outstanding.
Exactly what I wanted in a racer, despite some questionable attitude/voice overs/music.
Day one.
Exactly what I wanted in a racer, despite some questionable attitude/voice overs/music.
Day one.
guitarhero
Member
Pardon my language, but someone's gotta tell Helios so he can tell T10/PG:
99% OF EUROPEAN CAR OWNERS/ENTHUSIASTS USE HORSEPOWER, FOR FUCK'S SAKE!
STOP! USING! KW! IN! YOUR! GAMES! YOU! DUMB! TWATS!
I've put 60 hours into Forza 4. The handling is easier and more forgiving in Horizon.
I have no idea where you're coming from with the handling issue, for me to experience understeer I literally have to keep accelerating and not brake or attempt to coast once.
I also race with no assists with manual/clutch on, same way I race in Forza 4.
NullPointer
Member
First impressions:
+ beautiful
+ no jaggies
- This doesn't feel at all like Forza. Its not the 30fps, its the lack of feeling truly connected to the road, and at the same time the slipperiness of the tires as you lose grip.
What exactly is Forza about this? They speak of Forza 'DNA' and Forza 'authenticity', but in terms of driving feel, this ain't it. It's more like Dirt and Forza had a baby - thats cool and everything, but not what I was hoping for, and not what makes a game like this truly unique.
Vibration is nigh non-existent, engine and tire sounds are muted in comparison to Forza 4. Whatever settings I could max I have.
Basically this is way more arcade than I wanted, even with all assists off. Its fun in its own right, but I'm honestly let down by the demo.
+ beautiful
+ no jaggies
- This doesn't feel at all like Forza. Its not the 30fps, its the lack of feeling truly connected to the road, and at the same time the slipperiness of the tires as you lose grip.
What exactly is Forza about this? They speak of Forza 'DNA' and Forza 'authenticity', but in terms of driving feel, this ain't it. It's more like Dirt and Forza had a baby - thats cool and everything, but not what I was hoping for, and not what makes a game like this truly unique.
Vibration is nigh non-existent, engine and tire sounds are muted in comparison to Forza 4. Whatever settings I could max I have.
Basically this is way more arcade than I wanted, even with all assists off. Its fun in its own right, but I'm honestly let down by the demo.
Fantastic demo. Yea it's lacking the realism of Forza but it is an awesome spinoff for the series. I would like to see Forza Horizon become the spinoff series dedicated to a more arcade open world game and Forza # remains the proper racing installment.
It's fun getting away from the grind of Forza 4 and introducing something with the weird races like the Mustang race and just cruising around western Colorado.
It's fun getting away from the grind of Forza 4 and introducing something with the weird races like the Mustang race and just cruising around western Colorado.
AlanzTalon
Member
I think the big aspect missing is the tuning and customization (re: the handling). I never like any car in Forza 4 before i tune it.
Agree on the engine sounds. barely audible.....which is weird. make these motherfuckers snarl a bit, huh?
NullPointer
Member
Yeah. Forza 4 is an audio beast in my living room.
I dunno, I expected something a lot closer to Forza than Dirt, but I feel a little of each at different moments. Its strange.
On IQ I'm torn. Looks good for a console game, but visuals are smeared. I can't read the road signs until I'm right on top of them. But the vistas themselves look damn nice, and I'm looking forward to seeing all the different environments under various lighting conditions.
All things considered though, this is still a much better time for me than TDU and TDU2, but I did expected more Forza to shine through, especially with all assists off. So yeah, disappointed, but it seems like an excellent game in its own right.
I dunno Vire, I sorta agree with him. The game looks pretty amazing on my plasma and the lack of jaggies is damn fine.
Vire
Member
It looks nice sure, but CG?...
After playing around for about an hour, I'm very happy with it. I think Alan from VVV said it best, the handling is Forza 4 with a drift tune on every car. I'm o.k. with it, because it makes sliding around corners that much easier. I wasn't expecting a sim open world game, though, admittedly, it would be fucking amazing.
XtremeXpider
Member
Well, the game is arcade but with some grade of simulation, a little bit as PGR saga, it is not bad at all.
I suppose I have different standards with open world racers with longer straighter tracks. I found it to be pretty easy to take corners in the demo and would say I liked the handling. The last game I remember (like this) that had what I consider to be bad handling was NFS hot pursuit. I found it hard to take the tighter corners and react to stuff.
I don't feel any need to compare it to Forza 4 as it's a totally different type of game. That might not be the right attitude (maybe I should be holding the devs to a higher standard) but I've played most of the sims and more arcadey racers and that is the criteria I've subconsciously developed.
Complete honesty. I thought the game looked amazing when you are first given control (with the Viper). So much so that I felt like rushing to my computer to post about it on GAF in this thread. After driving around a little more it wasn't hard to spot flaws in the details but I will say that they really know how to hide that sort of stuff and seem to be using resources exactly where they are needed to give the game a very realistic look. The draw distance, geometry, lighting, trees+other detail, etc. I'm sure that in a DF face off with something like GT it would probably lose on many technical points but as a package I think the devs have done a great job.
Stephen_drewz
Member
Just loaded up the demo, currently paused at the beginning of the very first race due to lunch being ready lol.
Just had to jump in and say that soundtrack alone is going to make this game amazing for me. I am a big electronica fan(Trance and Drum n Bass mostly).
Already I have heard;
Porter Robinson - Language. Amazing tech trance tune, was addicted to this for ages.
Rusko - Everyday(Netsky remix) - Another brilliant tune
Superstar DJ(forget the artist) - Classic brilliant tune.
As long as I can keep my mind from expecting a game like Forza 4 and just a fun racer with forza like graphics and mechanics I think it will be a blast.
Does anyone have a link or something explaining the online? Im still confused as to whether story and online are seperate, whether I can free roam with a friend etc etc.
Just had to jump in and say that soundtrack alone is going to make this game amazing for me. I am a big electronica fan(Trance and Drum n Bass mostly).
Already I have heard;
Porter Robinson - Language. Amazing tech trance tune, was addicted to this for ages.
Rusko - Everyday(Netsky remix) - Another brilliant tune
Superstar DJ(forget the artist) - Classic brilliant tune.
As long as I can keep my mind from expecting a game like Forza 4 and just a fun racer with forza like graphics and mechanics I think it will be a blast.
Does anyone have a link or something explaining the online? Im still confused as to whether story and online are seperate, whether I can free roam with a friend etc etc.
state_vector_collapse
Member
I'm totally with you. In fact I checked my pad to see if the rechargeable battery was low and so rumble had switched itself off.
The cars lack any weight and the transition to dirt just doesn't feel like it does much at all. I'm bouncing along and yet the pad barely vibrates. There is just no feedback through the pad. It is hard to describe (I'm aware I'm doing a terrible job of it here)
I've also seen some fanboys (on other forums - and I mean fanboys in the sense that they are saying anyone with anything negative to say is basically a dickhead :/ )) say it is basically TDU with great handling. While I never got on with the handling in the TDU games, they at least feel properly open. This game feels incredibly restrictive compared to TDU.
For example, the advertising hoardings you can hit. I would have much preferred them hiding things behind houses etc and having to actually go find them.
I'll no doubt still pick up the game, but I will do what I do a lot lately, and give it a few weeks for the inevitably price drop (here in the U.K at least)
Stephen_drewz
Member
Game definitely feels easier to control then FM4 but I guess since its more of a "fun" racer instead of a sim I can accept that.
eso76
Member
thought the same during the intro. "man, i wish we could get the same iq ingame...wait"
i dont know what kind of aa they're using, i just wish every game used the same.