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Forza Motorsport 3
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| List Price: | $59.99 |
| Price: | $39.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
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Product Description
Whether it’s an exotic sports car like the new Audi R8 V10, a classic American muscle car like the Ford GT or a hot Asian import like the Nissan 370Z, everyone has a dream car. Live the most realistic racing experience ever as you take the wheel of more than 400 of the most-beloved cars on over 100 renowned real-world tracks and exotic road courses from around the globe. With breathtaking high-definition graphics and the most advanced vehicle performance modeling in a video game, “Forza Motorsport 3” includes a host of driving assists and adjustable skill levels to make the game a gripping pick-up-and-play experience for audiences of all ages and skill levels. Your escape into the world of car culture in “Forza Motorsport 3” doesn’t stop at the track. “Forza Motorsport 3” further fuels the imaginations of its already thriving community of painters, tuners and photographers with improved customization tools and brand-new ways to share creations with the world via Xbox LIVE.* Xbox LIVE makes your journey into the “Forza Motorsport” community and the world of user-generated content easy and fun. A love of cars lives in all of us. “Forza Motorsport 3” is the automotive playground we’ve all been waiting for.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #53 in Video Games
- Brand: Microsoft
- Model: 65H-00004
- Published on: 2009-10
- Released on: 2009-10-27
- ESRB Rating: Everyone
- Platform: Xbox 360
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: .61" h x 5.38" w x 7.55" l, .33 pounds
Features
- New game modes such as single-player season mode which puts you through a completely personalized racing calendar includes 200+ different events, including Circuit, Oval, Drag, Drift and Timed Events.
- Something to match every car lover's dream including more than 400 fully customizable and tunable cars from over 50 of the world¿s leading manufacturers and 100+ international tracks.
- Look and feel of a modern racing game built from the ground up using with the most advanced physics models, artificial intelligence and damage calculations.
- Gameplay assists including auto-braking, gameplay rewind and auto-tuning that cater to how each individual drives and evolves with you over time as your skills increase.
- In-game elements such as Livery Editor, Auction House and Deep Tuning Garage that along with content via Xbox LIVE, allow players to express their car passion through user-generated content.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
Whether it's an exotic sports car like the new Audi R8 V10, a classic American muscle car like the Ford GT or a hot Asian import like the Nissan 370Z, everyone has a dream car. Now you can drive that dream with Turn 10's latest racing epic. Exclusively for Xbox 360, Forza Motorsport 3 unites the racing game genre, making it possible for everyone to experience the thrill of the world's most exotic and exquisite cars.
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From the Manufacturer
As real as it gets – 400 fully-upgradable cars in stunning HD with a world-class physics engine featuring damage and roll-over. Race on over 100 of the most renowned real-world tracks and exotic road courses including the famed Le Mans Circuit de La Sarthe.
Racing for everyone – Have fun behind the wheel regardless of age or skill level. Experience a completely personalized career. With easy to use player assists such as One Button Control and Gameplay Rewind, even the most casual player can drive like a pro.
Connect and discover – Expand your game through Xbox LIVE®. Use Scoreboards, the Auction House and Storefronts to download the latest car creations, paintjobs and videos from the greatest artists, tuners and directors from around the world.
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Product Overview
Whether it’s an exotic sports car like the new Audi R8 5.8 FSI quattro, a classic American muscle car like the Ford GT or a hot Asian import like the Nissan 370Z, everyone has a dream car. Live the most realistic racing experience ever as you take the wheel of more than 400 of the most-beloved cars on over 100 renowned real-world tracks and exotic road courses from around the globe. With breathtaking high-definition graphics and the most advanced vehicle performance modeling in a video game, “Forza Motorsport 3” includes a host of driving assists and adjustable skill levels to make the game a gripping pick-up-and-play experience for audiences of all ages and skill levels.
Your escape into the world of car culture in “Forza Motorsport 3” doesn’t stop at the track. “Forza Motorsport 3” further fuels the imaginations of its already thriving community of painters, tuners and photographers with improved customization tools and brand-new ways to share creations with the world via Xbox LIVE.* Xbox LIVE makes your journey into the “Forza Motorsport” community and the world of user-generated content easy and fun. A love of cars lives in all of us. “Forza Motorsport 3” is the automotive playground we’ve all been waiting for.Product Features
Where dreams are driven: Featuring more than 400 fully customizable and tunable cars from over 50 of the world’s leading manufacturers. In addition to more than 100 tracks, including some of the most beautiful road courses in the world.Look and feel of a modern racing game: All 400-plus cars are recreated in gorgeous high definition with full exteriors and interiors, damage and roll-over. But realism isn’t just about pretty graphics. Whether it’s the differences in how each car handles through the corners, how the engines sound at top speed, or how different tires and upgrades impact your car’s performance, you’ll lean into your turns as if you were really behind the wheel of your favorite ride.
Easy to race: Using a myriad of cutting-edge driving and gameplay assists including auto-braking, gameplay rewind, and auto-tuning, Forza Motorsport 3 delivers an experience where everyone can have fun behind the wheel, regardless of your skill and dexterity.
User-generated content and Xbox LIVE®: Painters and tuners can showcase their creativity through the celebrated Livery Editor, Auction House, and deep tuning garage. New Xbox LIVE Leaderboards celebrate the greatest racers and the most prolific car tuners and painters in the community.
New game modes: This epic racing game features more than 200 different events, with Circuit, Oval, Drag, Drift, and Timed Events. In addition, the online multiplayer mode gains an all-new game rules editor, giving you a never-ending variety of ways to play with friends.
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Xbox LIVE Gold account required for online multiplayer gameplay.
© 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, the Microsoft Game Studios logo, Turn 10, Forza Motorsport, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
Customer Reviews
Perfection.. until you play in Multiplayer (Updated)
It's often said the the third time's the charm, and in the case of Forza Motorsport 3, that couldn't be more true. FM3 manages to improve upon it's predecessors in almost every imaginable way. If you've played Forza Motorsport 2, you're probably aware that the game wasn't designed with casual gamers in mind. FM3 changes this, and finally brings the franchise to a level that it has appeal not only as an uber-realistic racing simulator, but also as an entertaining racing game that just about anyone can pick up and enjoy. The addition of autobraking and rewind undoubtedly make things easier on newcomers, while the tweaked physics engine and ramped-up AI will give even the most die-hard Forza fanatics a run for their money. With over 400+ cars and 100+ tracks, one would be hard-pressed to get bored with this game.
Without a doubt, the two most significant improvements are the graphics and the new "Storefront". Forza Motorsport 3 displays in a native 720p (upscaled to 1080p by the console) running at 60 fps. This translates to a rich, detailed, and smooth-flowing picture that makes you feel like you're actually racing in Le Mans. To further immerse gamers, Turn 10 added a true in-cockpit view that was rendered to be a perfect likeness of the real life car. The environment and tracks weren't spared from this graphic overhaul either, and I often found myself going on free rides just to scope out the scenery and enjoy the ride.
Glossy graphics aside, the "meat" of the game is still incredibly satisfying. Those who were avid players of FM2 can testify to the integral part that online activities played. Don't worry, as Turn 10 was obviously aware this and made sure to spice things up just for you. Painting cars, applying vinyls and decals, and selling customized cars in FM3 couldn't be easier. In fact, this practice is encouraged with the addition of the new "Storefront". Players now have the ability to sell not only liveries for cars, but also tuning configurations. Making a name for yourself as an artist in Forza Motorsport 3 is a definite goal for some, but even those who lack the finesse required to create liveries can benefit from the changes.
Overall, this game not only meets all expectations set forth by hardcore FM2, but exceeds them. Those of you who are looking for a fun and relaxed racing game won't be disappointed though, as Forza Motorsport 3 was also designed with you in mind. I would, without a doubt, recommend the purchase of this game. The only downside is that the game comes with two disks (and a total of 1.9 GB of data) and necessitates the use of a hard drive if you plan on adding the bonus content (100+ cars and 3 environments).
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(UPDATE - November 4, 2009) - Numerous reviews have been posted addressing the shortcomings concerning the online multiplayer mode. They are correct. Turn 10 absolutely perfected the single player aspect of this game with "Season Mode" but, upon playing a few hours in the online multiplayer mode (which, due to all the waiting, is only two or three races) a glaring flaw reveals itself- Turn 10's "reset" of the new matchmaking system sucks. A lot. Gone are the days of creating your own custom party. Gone are the days of racing sub-A class cars. Gone are the glory days of online multiplayer.
While this may not be a huge deal to me (I mostly play single-player anyways), it's definitely a problem that NEEDS to be addressed. I've also noticed some problems in single player mode..
* Some in-car views aren't interactive, or don't render correctly.
* While the sound of cars has been vastly improved, there are still some problems. It seems that the exhaust note is based solely on displacement of the engine. A Camaro shouldn't sound like a Murcielago.
* Uploading the "Movies" doesn't work unless they're shot in low-res. 720p videos just don't upload.
* The "Performance Index" is broken. A Dodge Ram with a PI of 700 should, logically, perform on par with a Lamborghini Reventon with a PI of 700, right? Well, that's not how it works. I don't know how the PI is calculated, but it's not right.
* The resolution of Photomode leaves alot to be desired. While it's understandable that there needs to be a limit on file size to relieve strain on Turn 10's servers, I feel that the quality of the pictures doesn't do the game justice.
* Everything sold in the Storefront has a price cap of 10,000 credits. While this is just temporary, it's a huge disincentive at to spend hours upon hours perfecting a quality livery to be sold.
* The AI occasionally does stupid things. Though it's rare, I've seen opponents slam on their brakes for no reason when they're in the lead, slam into walls, or just stop driving. I don't know if these are just glitches, or the AI trying to be "more human". Whatever the cause, it's not right.
MY ratings so far-
[*****] - Single Player Mode
[****_] - Soundtrack
[*****] - Visuals
[****_] - Multiplayer (Split-screen)
[*____] - Multiplayer (Xbox Live)
[***__] - Fit and finish (Ready to be released?)
Could have been so much better
First, the background. I played Forza Motorsport 1 and Forza Motorsport 2 (FM1 and FM2) on Xbox 360 using the multi-screen capability. I have 3 Xbox 360's linked on my LAN and connected to 3 HDTVs to provide a three screen wide view of the road and car. Yup, very cool, but I tell you this so you can see where I am coming from, not to be showy.
Here is what I like about FM 3.
1. The added tracks make for more variety in this game and may make it appeal for longer
2. The graphics are slightly improved and all views have a rear view mirror (or two or three)
3. The car behaviors seems to be just a little more realistic and certainly less skittish than FM2
4. The penalty system works. Lap times are either clean or dirty, and clean times always list before dirty times. What makes a lap "dirty"? If you hit anything, go off the track, draft another car or are drafted by another car, or didn't have a clean last segment of the previous lap. There is no time penalty, you just get your dirty time listed WAY down the list behind all the clean times no matter how slow they were. No more wall-riding, no more pushing Minis across the line, no more drafting a Mini behind a monster car etc.
5. I like the in-cockpit view, but only when driving using the 3-screen setup. On a single screen, you lose too much space to see the track very well. It is possible to get a wider view on a single screen, which is like sitting further back from the steering wheel by setting the screen as the center of a multi-screen setup with a large defined angle (you do not need more than one Xbox to do this). But the result is still not good. I have set each of my screens to show 52 degrees with a 3 degree gap between each adjacent pair, giving me a 162 degree-wide view, so I can see out the side windows when in in-cockpit view. This is very nice.
6. The sound is improved.
Here is where I believe FM3 falls short
1. Every so often the much vaunted 60 fps frame-rate drops WAY off, and since this typically happens when cornering, this glitch often leads to driver error. Usually restarting the race will cure it for a while.
2. Multiplayer on Xbox Live - I suggest you read the other reviews here in Amazon. They cover its shortcomings very well. It's bad news.
3. Multiplayer on System Link (LAN)- no longer exists! With FM2, I would sometimes dismantle the 3-screen setup and have 2 or three players racing in a private group over the LAN. No lag, no internet-dependency, no dependence on Xbox Live. It was a beautiful thing. But it's gone from FM3. You have to buy multiple Xbox Live subscriptions.
4. No local scoreboards. FM2 would keep track of a list of results from prior races for all gamertags that used the Xbox 360. This has gone from FM3. The only record of your your performance on a specific track/class combo is simply your best time, so you have lost the ability to compare your results in a variety of cars. Even this is only available if you are connected to Xbox Live
5. Some career races switch the 3-screen setup to a single screen, disabling the left and right screens. Suddenly it's like racing in a tunnel, because in 3-screen mode you typically have a narrower field of view on each screen than in single screen mode. The same tracks in hot lap mode work fine.
6. At the start of all single player events, time is wasted by having the car drive onto the grid and then sit there revving its engine and vibrating before the countdown starts. Every darned time. Gets VERY tiresome, VERY quickly.
7. FM3 still doesn't use all screens of a multi-screen setup for replays. I was in contact with the Turn 10 team just after FM2 came out on this issue. There is a bug in FM2 that enables unsaved replays to use all screens, and this same bug exists in FM3. (Start the replay and go into photo mode, then come back into replay mode - choose the right camera and, bingo, you have all three screens in synchronization. But this doesn't work for saved replays, only for the replay immediately after a race. Since Turn 10 was aware of this bug and identified it as such via email, wouldn't you have thought that they'd exploit it for a better multi-screen experience?)
8. A lot of effort has been put into the car graphics, but quite frankly, I'm not studying car details while I'm racing. I'd prefer that the effort be put into track detail. The FM2 cars were quite good enough for me.
9. For owners of multiple Xbox 360s, you have to be careful with the Digital Rights Management issues. Microsoft expects Xbox 360 owners to only have one of them and that all software will be licensed to just the one Xbox. I'm now in the position that my car and track DLC are licensed to my center Xbox and the FM3 Premium Theme is licensed to the right hand one. The reasons are just too complex to explain here, and the cause is due to Microsoft's DRM myopia.
10. A detail point - the "split" time has been moved from low in the driver's view to the top of the screen. This means that to read it requires moving the eyes a long way from the focus of attention, and choosing a time when the background doesn't obscure the text. The FM2 location used the track as a background, so it was both easy to find and read.
Summary: So long as you don't need System Link, and don't mind the odd frame rate drop, you'll probably enjoy this game. It's not what it could have been and it's sad that some of the good things about FM2 were dropped, but it's the best driving experience available on Xbox 360 and the only one (apart from FM1 and FM2) that provides a multi-screen experience.
Great SP, Horrible MP
The Single Player experience is phenomenal. Easily the best racing game I've ever played.
The Multiplayer is absolutely atrocious. They removed everything great from Forza 2, and there is no matchmaking for any classes below 'A.'
Also, if you don't have Xbox Live Gold, they screw you by removing ALL options from Free Play. If you don't have Live Gold, you have ZERO options when free playing a track. You will always do 2 laps against Easy opponents--ALWAYS. If you have Gold, you can create a private room on Live and have all of the necessary options, but if not, you're out of luck
Lastly, they completely removed system-link play. Remember all of those great times you used to have System-Linking races with your friends? You can't anymore. Local tournaments? Not possible.
In summary, the Single Player campaign is fun, but the Multiplayer is absolutely horrendous, the System Link is non-existent, and Free Play (for non-Live-Gold users) is completely jacked.
