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Keeping a gaming franchise feeling fresh for over a decade is a tough task but the team behind Forza have made this look effortless over the years. With each cycle of new Xbox consoles allowing Turn 10 and Microsoft to make giant strides in technical advancements, the Forza franchise has neatly weaved the sheer awesome power of Xbox along with compelling gameplay. Beyond just the stunning visuals the racing simulator has grown to be known for, there's a whole plethora of development right across the board which has helped the latest incarnation of the franchise, Forza Motorsport 7, make a case for being the best driving game ever.
1. There's more than 700 cars in the game
A frankly giant list of cars are available to drive in Forza Motorsport 7. Building on a launch list of 400+ in the previous release of Forza Horizon 3, Turn 10 have upped the ante significantly and introduced a broad spectrum of new cars (and trucks) from all eras and from all types of motorsport, and all recreated in glorious 4K. With such a sheer increase in the amount of rides now available in the game, you would expect that some may be surplus to requirements. But this isn't the case. With the introduction of divisions (a system ensuring hatchbacks race hatchbacks, and the more powerful cars only racing against each other) all cars now have their place, and a fair chance of competing.
2. It might just be the best looking game ever
The Forza franchise has always been known as the game to maximise the graphical capabilities of the Xbox, but with 4K gaming now being possible with the Xbox One X console, Turn 10 have released a game that is arguably the best looking game ever released. The lighting improvements that made Forza Horizon 3 so spectacular act as a foundation for FM7 to build on, and if you happen to own a 4K TV set with HDR you'll likely be stunned by the realism. Naturally to take a real look at the game Forzavista (the vehicle viewing mode) is the best way to properly inspect the painstaking work put into the environments and cars – and even on 1080p this game pushes the boundaries of what we can expect from videogames in the future.
3. The fictional Dubai circuit is incredible
Forza has always acted as the benchmark for photo-realism in gaming. The painstaking process of accurately recreating real-world tracks known so well by racing fans and gamers alike is a tough, but rewarding task, but where the game can really come into its own is through its original, fictional circuits. In this year's release Dubai is the show-stopper. Arguably the best looking track in the game, the chance to race through the extravagant desert course with the sand blowing across the tarmac (and affecting gameplay) is one of the highlights of the introduction phase of the game all players start out playing.
4. You'll be surprised at how good the physics are
More powerful console specs have helped Forza get better with each new release, but what has really helped the franchise stand the test of time has been its dedication of getting all the small things right. This year is no exception to this rule with refinements made to how individual cars handle on the circuit, but also how they handle in a wide variety of weather conditions. From rainy conditions creating puddles of water on the track that make handling more difficult, to racing at dawn with fog affecting your field of vision – the gameplay can significantly be altered. Luckily the "Rewind" function is still in the game for any time you spin out of control.
5. Competitive gaming is king
Something that makes or breaks games today is the online offering that a title can deliver. In Forza's case, its community element is perhaps one of the strongest parts of the game. Being able to rely on a very active, and competitive set of players ensures the level of replayability remains as high as ever as a sense of progression feels truly authentic. Forzathon, Leagues modes, Rivals and unique timed events will keep racers enthused in an abundant array of options to compete against real-life drivers.
