Forza Motorsport 2

Infobox VG
title=Forza Motorsport 2


developer=Turn 10 Studios
publisher=Microsoft Game Studios
distributor=
designer=
engine=
resolution = 720p
version=
released=vgrelease|NA=May 29 2007|EU=June 8 2007|AUS=June 14 2007
genre=Racing, Driving [cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/34155/info.shtml|title="Forza Motorsport 2" Page|publisher=GamePro|accessdate=2008-07-28]
modes=Single player, Multiplayer
ratings=vgratings|ESRB=E
platforms=Xbox 360
media= DVD-DL
requirements=
input= Xbox 360 Controller, Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

"Forza Motorsport 2" is a racing simulator video game developed by Turn 10 Studios, and the sequel to the original "Forza Motorsport", for the Xbox 360 gaming system.

Overview

"Forza Motorsport 2" is a racing simulator on the Xbox 360 games console, the sequel to Forza Motorsport (Xbox). The Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel was developed alongside "Forza 2" and is designed to work with the game.

Most cars in "Forza 2" can be visually customized with both aerodynamic parts as well as graphics. 4,100 layers of graphics can be created with the livery editor to draw shapes, letters and pictures onto a car. [cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/736/736490p1.html|title=xbox360.ign.com/articles/736/736490p1.html |accessdate=2007-07-05]

The game supports split-screen, System Link and Xbox Live multiplayer gaming. Split-screen allows two player head-to-head racing, while both System Link and Xbox Live allow up to eight players to participate in a single race. Using Xbox Live, players can also buy and sell in-game cars through the game's Auction House.

"Forza 2" concentrates on circuit racing; point to point races have been removed. [cite web|url=http://forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass17.htm|title=forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass17.htm |accessdate=2007-07-05]

The damage and physics in the game have been revamped over the previous game, allowing for multiple settings: "simulation," which is the most severe, allowing for damage that can take a car out of commission; "limited," which scales down the severity of impact of crashes; and "cosmetic," where the damage is merely visual. [cite web|url=http://forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass31.htm|title=forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass31.htm |accessdate=2007-07-05] The damage ratings for each part of the vehicle can be seen on the HUD (heads up display) accessed from the in-game menu.

Professional racers playtested the wheel to aid the development in trying to achieve realistic features and settings. [cite web|url=http://forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass38.htm|title=forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass38.htm |accessdate=2007-07-05] "Forza Motorsport 2" features force feedback with the use of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel.

"Forza 2" runs at 60 frames per second in 720p resolution (HD), with replays running at 30 frames per second to accommodate additional after-effects.

Cars

There are over 300 cars available in "Forza Motorsport 2". They are divided into six production classes and four race classes. A car's class can limit races for which it is eligible. [cite web|url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/b/2/3b2d8dd4-6247-4c1d-b1dc-b378bb356373/FM2Standard_MNL_EN.pdf|title=download.microsoft.com/download/3/b/2/3b2d8dd4-6247-4c1d-b1dc-b378bb356373/FM2Standard_MNL_EN.pdf |format=PDF|accessdate=2007-07-05] The final list of cars was revealed on April 20, 2007. [cite web|url=http://forzamotorsport.net/news/announcements/carlist.htm|title=forzamotorsport.net/news/announcements/carlist.htm |accessdate=2007-07-05]

Production Cars

Production cars include stock cars, as well as cars tuned by aftermarket tuning companies. Production cars can move between classes, but cannot enter the "R" classes.
*Class D: Standard production cars including the Ford Focus SVT and the Volkswagen Golf GTI
*Class C: Sport production cars including the Audi S4 and the Nissan Fairlady Z
*Class B: Performance production cars including the Porsche Cayman S and the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
*Class A: Above average-performance production cars including the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the TVR Tuscan R
*Class S: High-performance production cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR and the Porsche Carrera GT
*Class U: Ultra performance-class cars. Only two cars are U-Class when stock without the downloadable content: the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve concept car, and the TVR Cerbera Speed 12. The Koenigsegg CCGT, Ferrari FXX, Ferrari F50 GT, Maserati MC12 Corsa and Ferrari F40 Competizione are available as extra-cost downloadable content.

Race Cars

Cars in these classes cannot be upgraded, and none of these cars can enter another class. Likewise, they cannot leave their respective class.
*Class R4: Heavily modified production cars and low-end purpose-built race cars including the #77 Subaru Cusco Advan Impreza and the numerous Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.
*Class R3: High-end purpose-built race cars including the Dodge Viper GTS-R and most Super GT cars.
*Class R2: Ultrahigh-end purpose-built race cars including the Porsche 911 GT1 and the Chevrolet Corvette C6.R.
*Class R1: Prototype race cars including the Peugeot 905C and the many variants of the Audi R8.

Tracks

There are 14 tracks (including 2 downloadable content tracks: Twin Ring Motegi (4 ribbons) and Road America (1 ribbon) which total 47 different configurations:

Real-world tracks
* Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
* Mugello Autodromo Internazionale
* Nürburgring Nordschleife
* Road Atlanta
* Sebring International Raceway
* Silverstone Circuit
* Suzuka Circuit
* Tsukuba Circuit
* Twin Ring Motegi (as DLC)
* Road America (as DLC)

Fictional tracks
* Maple Valley Raceway
* New York Circuit
* Nissan Speedway
* Sunset Peninsula Infield

Web integration

New for "Forza 2" are scoreboards similar to those found in "Halo 2". Each user can log into the official website for "Forza 2" using their Xbox Live account. In addition to leaderboards, features included are online auctions for in-game cars. Cars purchased through auctions will come with all statistics related to that car such as mileage, total repair cost incurred, number of previous owners, etc.

Other features include tournament scheduling and the ability to take in-game photos and upload to and view five at a time on the "Forza 2" website. [cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/766/766789p1.html|title=xbox360.ign.com/articles/766/766789p1.html |accessdate=2007-07-05]

Downloadable content

On August 1, 2007, the first downloadable content for the game was released in the form of a free Nissan car pack, which includes three free cars:
* 2007 Nissan Altima
* 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
* 2007 Nissan 350ZAlso available is a paintable Peugeot 908 race car for 50 Points.cite web | url = http://www.gamernode.com/News/3488-New-DLC-for-Forza-Motorsport-2/index.html | title = New DLC for Forza Motorsport 2 | work = GamerNode | accessdate = August 1 | accessyear = 2007]

On September 20, 2007, the second downloadable content was available, in the form of 11 individual cars for 400 Microsoft points:
* 2006 Audi R10 #8 Audi Sport Team Joest
* 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi
* 2006 Dodge Challenger Concept
* 2006 Honda Civic Si Coupe
* 2007 Honda Civic Type-R (EDM)
* 1967 Lamborghini Miura P400
* 2006 Lamborghini Miura Concept
* 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997)
* 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line
* 2007 SEAT Leon Cupra (also available as a separate, free download)
* 2007 SEAT Leon Supercup

On October 19, 2007, the third downloadable content was announced in the form of a new downloadable track, Twin Ring Motegi. The track will be playable in the form of four variations, including three road courses and an oval. The downloadable track was made available through Xbox Live on October 26, 2007 and it currently costs 400 MS points.

On December 1, 2007, the fourth downloadable content was announced in the form of a new track, Road America, costing 100 MS points, along with a pack of 11 cars costing 400 MS points. This car pack was made available through the Xbox Live Marketplace on December 7, 2007:
* 2008 Audi R8
* 1983 Audi Sport Quattro
* 1991 BMW M3 E30
* 2006 Ferrari FXX
* 2008 Koenigsegg CCGT
* 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
* 2007 Ferrari 599GTB
* 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
* 1998 Porsche 911 GT1
* 1980 Renault 5 Turbo
* 2007 Renault Renault-Sport Clio 197 (also available as a separate, free download)

On March 19, 2008, the fifth downloadable content was made available, in the form of 13 individual cars for 400 Microsoft points.Included in the Pack is:

*1996 Ferrari F50 GT
*1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione
*2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa
*2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
*2008 Porsche 911 GT2 (997)
*2007 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
*2007 #1 Peugeot 207 Super 2000 (also available as a separate, free download)
*2008 BMW Motorsport M3 E92
*2008 Maserati GranTurismo
*2007 Audi S5
*2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR
*2007 Audi TT Coupe S-Line
*1971 BMW E9 Motorsport 3.0 CSL

pecial Editions

"Forza Motorsport 2" was released in three editions: the regular edition, the "Limited Collector's Edition" and the platinum hits edition. The latter features a 157-page booklet containing insider details on the game as well as tips on how to obtain the game's Achievements. Car manufacturer detail is also provided along with three "Limited Collector's Edition"-exclusive cars. The three cars are the Subaru Impreza S204, Saleen Mustang S281E, and Challenge Stradale. Various online game stores also offered a bonus code to unlock the Nissan 350Z featured on promotional pictures with preorder purchase.

The "Limited Collector's Edition" was available in Australia, Asia, Canada and Europe, but not in the United States. [cite web|url=http://forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass45.htm|title=forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass45.htm |accessdate=2007-07-05]

A special edition titled "Forza Motorsport 2 Platinum Hits" was released for the North American market on August 19 2008. This edition includes a bonus disc containing the cars and tracks available as downloadable content at the time of its release, the cars of the "Limited Collector's Edition" and the Nissan 350Z originally offered as a preorder bonus.

VG Reviews
IGN =8.9/10
1UP =8.5/10
GSpot =9.2/10
Edge=9/10
TX =9.3/10
GT=9.1/10
XPlay=5/5
GSpy=5/5
GI=8.25/10|
compilation = yes|
MC = 90%
GR = 90%|

Tournaments

Forza Motorsport 2 is also included in the Championship Gaming Series.

Physics exploits and scoreboard wipe

A series of exploits and physics engine bugs have affected the fairness of online multiplayer and competitive hotlapping since the game's launch. A bug in the initial release gave the simulated Lotus Elan an unrealistic and unbalanced performance advantage over other vehicles. [cite web|title=Weekly Pitpass Report Volume 55|url=http://forzamotorsport.net/news/pitpassreports/pitpass55.htm] A patch which aimed to resolve this issue introduced a second bug which again could be exploited to gain an unfair advantage.

On September 9 2007, in an attempt to address these issues in the context of an extremely large scoreboard database and limited tool set, Turn 10 Studios began wiping [cite web|title=http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/forums/thread/929558.aspx|url=http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/forums/thread/929558.aspx|accessdate=2007-09-13] accumulated scoreboard times and online rankings for players who had:
* A top 5000 scoreboard time using a Manual Transmission vehicle before August 25 2007;
* A sub-10 second laptime;
* A top 2000 scoreboard time using a Lotus Elan.

Forza Motorsport 3

The third release in the series is expected in 2009.

ee also

* Sim racing
* Comparison of racing simulators
* RFactor - a computer racing simulator
* X Motor Racing - an open-ended racing simulator

References

External links

* [http://www.forzamotorsport.net Official "Forza Motorsport 2" Site]
* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/f/forzamotorsport2/ "Forza Motorsport 2"] at Xbox.com
* [http://www.forzacentral.com Forzacentral] Fan Website