Since its 2005 debut on Microsoft's original Xbox, Forza Motorsport has been inching closer and closer to the racing simulation throne that's now occupied by Sony's Gran Turismo.
While Sony is giving their series another go for another lap on the Playstation 3 with Gran Turismo 6, Microsoft is showing that it's not playing around by making Forza Motorsport 5 a launch title. Especially considering the work in progress demo that the guys at Turn 10 Studios had at Microsoft's E3 booth.
Forza Motorsport 5's demo was a time trail race around the streets of Prague that was hyped in all the promotional trailers. Selectable vehicles included the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Pagani Huaya, Lamborghini Aventador and McLaren F1 featured on the cover; all available with multiple paint jobs.
Those who are familiar with the series shouldn't have much issue getting into outside a few nuances to vehicle handling. The cars feel a lot more heavier and more stuck to the ground as ever yet the supercar like nimbleness remains. Franchise standards like varying level of driving assets were still there and overall, everything just controlled phenomenally. The "Drivatar" A.I. system that Microsoft touted wasn't available since a time trial is obviously a solo ordeal.
Visually, Forza Motorsport 5 isn't too impressive at first glance but the extreme amount of details makes everything look fantastic. In demo played, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta driven featured windshields that reflected the inside of the cabin depending on how bright the light was and an instrument cluster that actually looks 3D as oppose to a flat image that current-gen normally have. Damaged modeling seemed to coincide with how much detail went into the cars and therefore is a lot more extensive than it already is. Rubbing against the wall just doesn't pull the paint of car but, scuffs into the carbon fiber. The Prague track looks gorgeous. The lighting and textures are great but again, the small details hold everything together to make the track realistically come alive. Crowds cheer, birds fly off in the distance, a helicopter reflects off the paint of the car as it flies above and there's even a beautiful vista that comes after one of the corners of the track.
Forza Motorsport 5 and the guys at Turn 10 are really attempting to out the next king of racing sims and if the E3 demo is just a beta, some fine tuning can really set a fine precedent at launch.