The launch of Turn 10's latest Forza Motorsport is right around the bend, and ahead of release, reviews are now starting to go live for this new Xbox console exclusive.
We've been playing this one too, so we'll drop a link to our review down below, along with a roundup of what critics are saying about the new Forza Motorsport elsewhere!
Pure Xbox (8/10)
"Forza Motorsport feels like a game that's set up for the future. The technical underpinnings on show in Turn 10's Xbox Series X|S debut are remarkable, and this sort of solid foundation is always a good start. While there's still hours and hours of fun to be had with what is here, genre fans will quickly be reminded of what's missing - making the new FM feel like a launch pad for what's to come rather than a complete experience at launch.
When Turn 10 gets around to adding more unique career events, tracks and bonus features, this could become one of the very best sim racers ever to grace Xbox. For now, it's a brilliant effort that doesn't quite finish in first place."
Twinfinite (10/10)
"Where so many games make me feel like I’m left wanting, Forza Motorsport left me feeling excited for the future. Sure, they’ll continue to add cars, tracks and races to this existing title, but seeing where we are now compared to where I thought was the top was nearly a decade ago leaves me feeling hopeful that as technology continues to press forward, Forza Motorsport will always be right there pushing it."
God is a Geek (9.5/10)
"Beyond the minor grumbles, Turn 10 has crafted a game that genuinely feels like it’s been made just for me. No pretension, just pure, unadulterated, exhilarating racing. No, it’s not perfect but the few gripes that I have could easily be patched over the coming months. For anyone with even a passing interest in racing games (and especially those with Game Pass, to which it will be delivered day one) , this is an experience not to pass by.
An excellent companion piece to the open-world, frantic off-road action of Forza Horizon, Forza Motorsport is the next generation of racing that I’ve been waiting so very long for."
Video Gamer (9/10)
"Forza Motorsport’s refined handling, next-gen visuals, and responsive physics tempt you with an accessible yet familiar thrill, especially when you avoid spiraling into a bend. A lot of it feels like Forza but one race will tell you how much things have changed under the hood. It’s a remarkable achievement that this racing sim captures that feeling of owning a handful of cars that speak to you. As a reboot, there’s little more one can ask for."
Game Informer (8.8/10)
"Forza Motorsport may not have the most in-depth career mode, but it executes nearly every aspect of the package exceptionally well. Though some of the progression and dynamic visual elements fall short of the realism the rest of the title achieves, Forza Motorsport currently vies for the pole position in the sim-racer field."
VGC (8/10)
"It’s clear by the title that Microsoft and Turn 10 don’t see Forza Motorsport as another numbered instalment – rather, this is a new platform that it plans to continue to build on. Over time, we imagine the game will grow to become the most feature-packed game in the series with more cars and tracks than ever before.
For now, its overriding selling point is that on the track it looks fantastic and handles like an absolute dream. And for now, that has to be enough."
Windows Central (8/10)
"Forza Motorsport (2023) isn't just a new beginning for the legendary simulation racing franchise, it also represents a previously unreached peak for the series. Turn 10 Studios have done an incredible job delivering one of the best core driving experiences of any game, but not everything has been properly rebuilt from the ground up."
IGN (8/10)
"After six long years, Forza Motorsport is off the lift and back in our lives. It looks great, feels great, sounds great, and it’s brought with it the most impressive multiplayer we’ve seen in the series so far. With 500 cars and 20 track locations it’s hardly a small start but, now positioned as a platform, Forza Motorsport has the potential to expand into a seriously rich racing destination over the coming years."
Stevivor (7.5/10)
"As a casual player, there’s certainly enjoyment to be had, but much like Mortal Kombat 1, I think I’ve had my full just a couple days in. If you’ve got an Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass subscription — not to be confused with an Xbox Game Pass Core subscription — certainly jump in and have a go."
GamesRadar (7/10)
"The game engine here is demonstrably better than Forza Motorsport 7's but, in terms of breadth of gameplay, presentation, general excitement, and enjoyment gleaned from racing the AI cars, the older, now-deleted Forza Motorsport 7 is clearly superior. More content including tracks and event series will be added over time, so it will certainly improve, but right now the career mode here is so sedate and one-note, it's hard to recommend Forza Motorsport's offline mode over any of its peers."
At the time of writing, Forza Motorsport sits at 84 on Metacritic and 83 on OpenCritic - very respectable averages all round, and a great start for Turn 10 on Xbox Series X|S.
Are you diving into Forza Motorsport when it comes to Xbox Game Pass? Let us know down below!
Comments 23
It’s getting good reviews, but there seems to be a common theme that it’s a step back from Forza 7, with less good content and choice right now. They said it’s a full priced release not a live service, but these reviews seem to suggest otherwise.
Looks great but I think it's the lack of content that's the problem
Have to admit, slightly disappointed with the reviews. Bearing in mind just how long this game has been in development, you would expect the issue of content to have been realised and sorted long ago. I get that the game will improve over time, but many of those improvements will have to be paid for, which is fine as the game does need to make money (and personally, I have the Ultimate Edition), but those playing the base game will not see the same level of improvement, which is a shame.
The other issue, of course, is that the game is professionally reviewed upon release. That is when the game is given its official review score. And that score sticks with it for life! Therefore, adding to the game in the future will not be taken into account. Thus, the racer that is supposed to beat all comers, will release with a score that is inferior to its closest rival in Gran Turismo, which is not a good look, and which is something that could apparently have been sorted prior to release.
@Fiendish-Beaver a common thing reading the reviews is that it’s ’a great release to build on’. That’s something I don’t really like seeing in a review. How can the reviewer possibly see the future? What if they release a patch like Diablo 4’s and ruin the game (lol)?
While it’s true the game probably is a great place to build on, people are dropping their money on the game now.
That's exactly my view, @Fenbops. Truthfully, I'd rather the game be the best it is ever going to be upon release. Have everything present. Even if it means I am paying more for the privilege. Effectively, I want the Complete Edition upon release. So many games that I play upon release, go on to add more content over time, and yet I never return to the game to enjoy those updates, even if I have bought a version that has already paid for that content...
This sounds a lot like Halo Infinite to me. The gameplay is great but lacked content at launch. I feel like what I’m reading is just a repeat of that.
Reviews seem good but with this and Starfield Xbox still doesn’t get that shinning example of pure in house studio AAA genius that the other two mange sometimes.
Very near at times but not there yet.
Will be interesting to see how Spider man 2 and Mario Wonder shape up next week.
Sounds like a good time. I'm looking forward to the 10th.
Fiendish-Beaver wrote:
I think Xbox's leak made it clear that individual game sales or revenue aren't as important anymore internally, instead it's about getting subscribers and ongoing recurring revenue.
However my issue with this model is that a new game is more interesting to me, and I assume many others, than drip-fed updated content to an existing game. Will we even see another Forza Motorsport this generation, or another game from Turn10, or is this it now? Frankly i'd rather they released a finished game and moved onto the next project asap, development times are ALREADY super long without extending them for years to come. Plus more new releases are better selling points for Game Pass.
Do scores matter to you that much? I get that they are nice to have, but if you enjoy the game then just enjoy it without needing external validation. Moreover if you really enjoy the racing genre then why not celebrate BOTH games rather than pitting them against each other.
Critics also loved GT7 back before it launched. Just sayin.
I agree with everything you say, @themightyant, but as someone else said, we keep getting the near thing, and not the one to be proud of. Are Forza and Starfield of a quality that will sell consoles (and subscriptions)? Are they system sellers such as the likes of The Last of Us, Horizon Forbidden West, or even Spiderman? That is why the scores matter to me. We need games to be proud of, so that those that game on the PlayStation feel the desire to get an Xbox, which is exactly what the PlayStation does with their games. So a game such as Forza needs to, in my opinion, review better than Gran Turismo did. Forza could be a game to sway people over to the Xbox, but if Gran Turismo is the 'better' game, then people will either stick with, or simply buy, a PlayStation to get the better driving sim. So yes, I do think it important.
Also, I shall be playing the game regardless as I have the Ultimate Edition (or whatever it is called), and I am really looking forward to diving in. However, as I said, it's not about how I feel about the review score as I shall be playing it regardless, it is about the perception as to which console has the better game...
I actually do think something like Forza does make sense to be a platform (assuming they support it correctly going forward). I just hope they don’t take this approach with Fable and Perfect Dark etc…
@Fiendish-Beaver I do understand your point but I don't think a sim-racing game like Forza (Motorsport) is ever going to be a system seller in large numbers nowadays whether it's an 85 (FM), an 87 (GT7), or higher.
Of course some will buy a console (or subscribe to Game Pass) because of it, but not in large enough numbers to significantly move the 'consoles sold' needle regardless of that score. You either like sim racers or you don't.
The only people who should really care about such an insignificant difference (85ish vs 87) are platform warriors looking to score sad points.
As for Starfield, I still believe that is a system seller. Yes it's mid 80s, not low 90s as we hoped, but I think BGS games are unique and beloved enough to still shift consoles. And reportedly it did. Though of course Microsoft's pro-consumer policy of releasing on PC & Cloud as well also works against them somewhat here (cloud gaming saw a HUGE spike), hence it's unlikely to ever move the needle as much as say Spider-man 2 which releases exclusively on PlayStation 5 (for a limited time anyway) and is a more known and saleable IP to the masses. Xbox is more than a box nowadays.
I agree with Phil Spencer's statement that even if Starfield was an 11/10 it isn't going to move the consoles sold needle significantly... at least not alone. Though I do believe a steady flow of good games over a longer period of time will, in time... which is what MS have (mostly) been doing.
TLDR: Don't worry, be happy. They are two good games
I agree with everything you said, @themightyant (and what Phil Spencer said too). My disappointment is that I know that the console warriors will use these game scores to bash the Xbox, and when the Xbox is scoring in the 80s (which is still a decent score), but the PlayStation is scoring in the 90s, it is difficult to point out the quality of the games because the lower review scores keep being weaponised.
Ultimately, I just want Xbox to gain ground on the dominance of the PlayStation, however, when their first party games are reviewing less favourably than similar games on the PlayStation, it is difficult to see how Xbox can do that...
@Fiendish-Beaver To be honest I think a lot of this is about perception vs reality.
The perception is that PlayStation makes better games, or better reviewed games, than Xbox. I think the reality recently is MUCH closer. If we look at Xbox's releases over the last few years they are almost all really high quality. Many mid-high 80s and even a few 90s. Yes there was Redfall and perhaps a few other relative failures too, but Sony does those too occasionally e.g. Destruction All-stars.
People seem to think most Sony games get 90+ which just isn't true. The reality is most get similar scores to Xbox e.g. Ghost of Tsushima (83), Horizon: Forbidden West (88), Miles Morales (84) but for some reason people are always expecting 90+ which is just unrealistic.
Remakes and remasters aside I believe the only one Sony has this gen is God of War: Ragnarok (94). In the last 5 years I believe there's only two more TLOU2 (93) and Astro Bot: Rescue Mission (90) though that is PSVR only. This gen Xbox has had two 90+ games Forza Horizon 5 (92) & Flight sim (90) and in the same 5 year timeframe a few more e.g. Ori WotW (90), Forza Horizon 4 (92).
That's how rare 90+ games are yet people act like a game has "failed" slightly if it doesn't hit that rarefied air. We really need to step back from that unhealthy fixation. We shouldn't need external validation for what we like.
So if the scores are so close recently why is it perceived differently? I think the main difference is TIME. Sony has been putting out quality like this for many years now, crucially with very few low bars. Whereas Microsoft have only more recently started to consistently up their game and put out fewer average-bad releases, which drags that perception down. It takes a long time for people's perception to change. But given time, if Xbox keep doing what they are doing, it will. Future's bright imo. Good games are everywhere, enjoy them.
Re: Console warriors I also share your frustration with giving them ammunition, though as ever they should just be ignored. Don't know what else to say. Little good comes from engaging with them, all they want to do is disrupt and bring our hobby down. That said a bit of healthy competition is good, important even, to keep the platform holders honest and always pushing forwards. Forces them to be better.
Well said, @themightyant. I think you are entirely correct; it is a case of perception over reality. My primary console is the Xbox, but I also game on the PlayStation for their big single-player releases. I often post on Push, more often than not in an attempt to 'correct the record' because the disdain for the Xbox (and Phil Spencer) is often palpable over there, yet I don't really see the same over here for either Sony or Jim Ryan. The number of times I have said that PlayStation needs a strong competitor in Xbox is unbelievable, so you and I clearly think in a very similar manner, albeit I may let it get to me every now and again. As I said before, I just want Xbox to do well...
@Fiendish-Beaver Do you really not see the same here for Sony and especially Jim Ryan? If anything I think the Jim Ryan hate is worse... though perhaps more understandably as he puts his foot in his mouth and is deliberately contentious at times, whereas Phil prefers to play happy families.
Personally I just think Ryan was a good businessman, and (mostly) good at his job, which is all I needed him to be even if I didn't like all the decisions he made he kept PlayStation strong. Do I like Phil more? Sure, 100%, but I don't need to like him, he's not my friend, I need him to be good at his job, to make Xbox stronger and more competitive, anything else is a bonus. They are all two-faced imho, comes with the job.
'Correcting the record' is almost impossible and most likely just to antagonise many unless done softly. I get a lot of flak here and on Push Square for that. But perception is just that, it doesn't reflect reality, and it takes time to change peoples minds. But slowly over time just by delivering the hard facts some will eventually come around. You'll never convince the fanboys, when they feel cornered, and probably in the wrong, they are at their absolute worst.
I agree I want Xbox to do well, I just don't want them to do TOO well. As a consumer I think MS being slightly behind and chasing is where we, the gamers, will get the most benefit. Keep Sony and Microsoft playing off one another to keep us happy. I do fear Microsoft getting too strong and steamrollering everyone. If that ever happens I think it's going to be almost impossible for others to compete and would be the worst outcome. We've seen it in almost every other field where Microsoft are #1 and brutal to any competition, I don't want that for gaming.
No, @themightyant, now we get to disagree 😂 I honestly think the hate for Spencer on Push is far, far worse than what we see here on Pure. With Ryan, yes, he absolutely does get some hate. That I do not deny. However, that hate tends to pop up when an article covers something (usually disingenuous) that he says, such as PlayStation will fail without CoD, and that the game will no longer appear on the platform, despite numerous assurances that it would (but I digress). However, with Spencer on Push, anything remotely to do with Microsoft sees an outpouring of hatred towards Spencer, even if he is only indirectly involved based on him being the boss of Xbox.
The one thing I would say though, is just as with the userbase of the PlayStation, Push has proportionally more users than Pure. I base that on the sheer number of comments you see on any article posted on Push as compared to Pure. That's not necessarily factual, but that is how it seems to me. So, with that in mind, if Push has a pro rata number of users as it does console owners, and Pure likewise with the Xbox, then it stands to reason that not only will Push see more comments, but also that you will see more people posting hateful comments about the Xbox boss. That is by no means me condoning what they are saying, just throwing it out there that there are more comments because there are more commentators.
As for Xbox becoming all conquering, I really don't see that happening, or at least not in the next 15-20 years, and two or three more generations at best. The reason I say that is that at the moment there are roughly three PlayStation gamers for every one Xbox gamer. I'm not so sure that Xbox can turn that around, particularly so if some of the biggest games such as CoD remain multiplatform, because so long as Sony keeps producing their high-quality single-player games, I just cannot see people switching to the Xbox.
Now, if Xbox can produce banger after banger, every 3 months, as they said was their aim, then yes, I can see people being swayed to join team Green, particularly if Sony are only bringing out one such game each year, which seems to be the case at the moment. However, that goes back to my original point, the games that Xbox are producing, whilst of high quality, do not quite match the highest quality produced by Sony. And that in a nutshell, is why I am somewhat disappointed by the review scores for Forza...
@Fiendish-Beaver Now we're cooking. 😂
I agree with plenty you say. I agree some over on Push Square and other places are irrational about Phil, but I honestly see the same about Jim, it IS less often, but then he's not usually as visible and stays behind the scenes more than Phil (for good and bad). But I see the same irrational comments on both sides. Hell, plenty of SONY fans don't like Jim Ryan. Just look at the comments and likes on the retirement post on Push.
Also agree there is a user, or at least commenter, disparity on the two sites which might lead to more bad comments. That said I have more people blocked over here that I do there despite that. (Although all the sister sites share the same list, which is a shame, I blocked them for their antics over here.) Despite clearing that list earlier this year, it's growing again. But then i'm probably on plenty too and get called a fanboy on both sites for calling it as I see it. Maybe it's just me but I find the Team Green Zealots more nauseating, but then they've been more desperate for a few years, so perhaps more understandable.
I don't believe the split it 3:1, even on console, next gen console sales are estimated to be less than 2:1 for starters right now. But regardless as Microsoft keep telling us Xbox is more than just a console now. Yet they want it both ways, they want to include PC and Cloud sometimes when they want to seem big and ignore them (and Nintendo) when they want to appear small. Can't have it both ways.
I agree MS couldn't take over for a while, thought I think it could be sooner than 15-20 years if they play their cards right and Sony mess up. I also don't think it's likely, I was just pointing out that I don't want it to happen. At the moment we are having an "arrogant Sony" phase and that needs to be quelled with better competition. But the idea of an all conquering Microsoft and them realising their dreams like Nintendo acquisition aspirations etc? No ******* thanks!
I think we're back to agreeing once again, @themightyant. I think your comment regarding 'arrogant Sony' phase is spot on, and maybe that is what I dislike so much, and why I want to see Xbox do better.
I think the two companies being close competitors is what we want to see. One having the edge over the other, but not the current one where one company is dominant over the other. That would be my ideal; a roughly 50/50 split where both companies push one another to be innovative, but not arrogant, and where both put their userbase first and foremost, rather than forever pushing up the prices because, well, they just can. A close split will see a steady environment, with high quality games front and centre, because each would want the edge over the other. At the moment, I think Sony is being complacent, and taking its gamers for granted. I think that is why we are not seeing a procession of first-party AAA games, and why Sony have done a 60/40 split in favour of GaaS games (which I personally think is a mistake). Hopefully, with Ryan now gone, that emphasis will change though.
I entirely agree with your last point though, I do not want to see Microsoft acquire Nintendo, and I wonder whether Spencer was really contemplating that, or simply spit balling...
@Fiendish-Beaver agree with basically everything you said.
Regarding Sony’s current complacency this comes with being ahead. I remember when the tables were turned, in the middle of the X360/PS3 gen. At that time it was Microsoft ahead and making the anti-consumer moves to try and cement their position e.g. timed exclusive deals for the biggest AAA games DLC e.g. GTA4, COD, Skyrim. Drying up of third party deals, and then the XBO reveal...
Meanwhile it was Sony behind and making the pro-consumer moves with things like giving “Free” monthly games away with PS+ and having a games library subscription service with PS Now, game sharing on PS4.
My point is it’s cyclical based on who’s currently on top. I’m have no doubt if Microsoft were ahead right now the tables would be turned again. Sony feel strong enough right now to push gamers boundaries of what is acceptable. That’s part of why I need Microsoft to do better and keep Sony honest… and vice-versa. That’s best for us gamers. But I don’t ever want one to be so far ahead the other can’t come back, I think that is the danger with Microsoft being SO big, it’s unbalanced, and the fear is if they get too far ahead they could steamroller everyone as they have done in other industries, that’s been their M.O.
As for Sony putting up prices… it’s not a popular view but I don’t actually have a huge problem with this. Again being an old gamer I remember when cartridges were more expensive than games are now at the end of the SNES/MD generation… and that’s BEFORE inflation, or the cost of game production going up around 10-50 times in that time. Frankly I’m amazed games don’t cost MORE in some respects. Of course I don’t LIKE a price hike, no one does, I’d prefer to pay £60 than £70… but I don’t begrudge it too much either. I was only surprised it wasn’t sooner tbh, someone had to do it first.
Also agree the focus on GaaS is, at least in part, a mistake for Sony. But I also think they needed to diversify to make a wider range of games rather than having all their eggs in one basket of single player cinematic third person action adventures. Even if those are the type of games I like, I’m not blind enough to see they needed to diversify if they want to keep competing at the top in 5-10 years.
Re: Phil Spencer and Nintendo. This is nothing new. We know MS tried to buy them all the way back in 2001 and got laughed out the room, however it WOULD still be the ultimate move for them that hasn’t changed. And the existence of those sort of documents is normal. EVERY major company has done the due diligence on acquiring their competition, they HAVE to because if an opportunity to buy them ever comes up at short notice they might have to act fast to show intention to buy. So the existence of those documents and those discussions isn’t a surprise. The problem for me was some of the language is pretty disrespectful E.g. suggesting that it’s Nintendo’s fault for taking their time realising that being acquired is in THEIR best interests. That’s the height of arrogance. I have to laugh or otherwise I’ll cry. On the flip side these documents weren’t ever meant to be seen publicly so I give them SOME allowance, but only a little, as it shows their mindset which is “we want to buy everyone and rule everything”. Which isn’t really a surprise at all, it’s Microsoft, but it’s important to remember they aren’t our friends either.
Agree with everything you have said, @themightyant. It's good to have a sensible conversation with someone, because all too often it is simply hyperbolic one way or the other, which is pretty depressing at times. I think it's probably a maturity thing. I would also class myself as an older gamer (I'll be 60 in December) though mentally, I still feel in my teens! 🤣
@Fiendish-Beaver Aha! You outrank me by a few years then. lol. Yes always nice to have a mature conversation about these things.
My dad, who turns 80 this year, still says he feels like a kid inside and he still has that boyish glint in his eye. I love it.
Happy gaming mate.
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