October Magazine

ume you have 6 different classes of
car to choose from to progress; you
can play the same group 3 times
to advance if you have a favourite
car, but where’s the fun in that? If
you need a break from progressing
through the championships, there’s
also a host of ‘showcase’ events,
separate to career mode, which pit
you against certain challenges in a
host of car classes, allowing you to
experience the broader story of motorsport.
Expect to hear from a host
of motoring and motorsport personalities
as well, providing you with
information and guidance with tackling
the world’s best. As you earn
cash and xp, you build reputation,
and each level gives you a wheel
spin gift, similar to the levelling system
in Horizon 2. Another new addition
to help you on the way are
‘mods’. Either won or purchased,
mods give you certain one off or
permanent boosts; either cash bonuses,
xp boosts, or handling and
braking upgrades. You can equip
up to 3, and whilst it can made the
game seem a little less realistic,
it doesn’t force you to use them.
They’re just a helping hand if you
want it. Coupled with the massive
amount of options you can select
and adjust, Forza 6 helps cater for
any level of racer.
Drivatars are also back, though this
time they’ve been to racing school.
You can turn off Drivatars to face a
more balanced competition, or you
can adjust whether or not the Drivatars
act aggressively. But be awake
if you do let them; they aren’t afraid
to weave, block and dive bomb you
in order to get ahead. They will happily
wipe the smile off your faceeven
if it means wiping the front of
their car off in the process. They’re
human in a sense; they make mistakes,
they out brake themselves,
they run off track. It adds a new and
challenging dimension to the game,
and when you have 23 other cars
on track battling for your position,
coupled with the day/night cycles,
with the threat of rain, it all comes
together to bring a experience that
blows you away.
I see a lot of comparison between
GT4 and FM6. Both featured the
Ford GT as their poster boy, albeit
in different guises. Both represented
a huge step forward for
not just their series, but the genre
in general. And I haven’t been this
excited and keen on a racing game
since GT4. I think I’ve finally found
my replacement. Forza is happily
celebrating 10 years of producing
top shelf content, and it’s a ride
they’re only too happy to take you
along on. If you’ve played previous
Forza titles, it not only rewards you
for it, but thanks you being a part of
their 10 year journey. And yes, it’s a
game. But it’s a thank you that feels
quite genuine. It’s not just a 10th
anniversary launch, and it isn’t just
another title in the series. This is the
new benchmark.
And as much as I like Gran Turismo,
Forza has raised the bar yet again.
After all, releasing a game on your
10th anniversary is always a good
start…thanks for the 10 years Forza.
And here’s to another 10 more.