FORZA 2 impressions thread

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:12 am

PRBoom wrote:How is Forza 2's version of "the ring"? That track alone is what is going to make me break down

Best version I've seen, an absolute joy to drive.

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:18 am

PRBoom wrote:How is Forza 2's version of "the ring"? That track alone is what is going to make me break down

Nailbiting, with R class cars... Really, anything above A class is an adventure. I've done about 20 laps on it so far (mostly last night, trying to finish off career mode and get a gold on every event, which I finally got @ the Ring after many attempts and a variety of different class cars.... B class finally did the trick after finishing with a bronze in R and A classes).

They've added spectators to the track in certain sections, and the DD5.1 sound is done quite well as you fly past them (and hear them).

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 11:38 am

So I can't decide about this game...

One thing that bothers me is that it just feels like I've done it all before. Sure, online racing is nice and it's fun and all, but the career mode, which I usually like going through, is terribly boring and non-eventful for the most part. There just doesn't seem like there is anything new/fresh. It's just the same old same old when it comes to progressing through the career mode. It just doesn't sit well with me.

But then again, as I was exiting the freeway this morning on my way to work, I was expecting to see the breaking line (which I use right now) on the off-ramp. Was disappointed to see that god had turned that off.

So who knows...it's a nice game. But it's not THAT fabulous after a couple days of play. I'm definitely looking forward to DIRT, so maybe that is what is crushing my enjoyment of this game.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:25 pm

I noticed that myself. The offline career is kind of a "well, this feels exactly like the last Forza with better upgrades and a better feel for the competition you'll face".

But online, it just trumps almost any online console racer I've played. The restrictions you can put on a race, the race conditions will change from track to track, and that PI rating is superb.

In a race last night, we were running the D's and almost everybody was in 374-ish cars that were in the 4.6 to 4.8 speed category. I had a test I really wanted to run, with a Mazda Roadster in my garage that I had raised to a 399 Performance Index value, but it only had 3.6 speed. The handling and braking was off the charts, and it was light as could be, but it really wasn't that quick. We ran at Laguna Seca, and I was curious if this "slow" car with a high PI could hang with the faster cars.

It wasn't even close.

Within 2 corners I knew it was going to be ugly, because my little Roadster was like a slot car. I could literally floor the throttle through the first double dogleg corner while other people were still braking. If there were long straights they could eventually build some momentum and catch me, but when I never lose any momentum due to braking (who needs them in that car) or cornering it was a lost cause. Think second place was like 35 seconds back...in class D cars.

Now, if somebody else had the 399 value Acura with the 5.2 top speed or whatever and good cornering, it would be interesting because I don't know any other car in the class that can hang with that on the straights. But the PI value really is shining the more I play it online. That alone makes the 'been there, done that' feel of offline career a distant second in my mind.

Leadfoot5 · Post by **Leadfoot5** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:48 pm

Got disconnected during our race on "The Ring" last night, did anyone else? At least I was able to finish and get the credits for the win...

Didn't get back online until about 9:30pm PDT, and nobody was around. Hope there are some other left-coasters here, becuase the races I ran with randoms weren't as fun.

This game has me wishing for a "First Corner" feature that would turn everyone transparent for the first cornhole corner of each track. It would allow the idiots to plow into the sand without taking anyone else out and allow more cautious drivers like me to be able to brake a bit too early without fear of getting nailed...

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 12:53 pm

Leadfoot5 wrote:This game has me wishing for a "First Corner" feature that would turn everyone transparent for the first cornhole corner of each track. It would allow the idiots to plow into the sand without taking anyone else out and allow more cautious drivers like me to be able to brake a bit too early without fear of getting nailed...

Has that been in a game before? That's an awesome idea if not.

wpw721 · Post by **wpw721** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 1:09 pm

I love the smoke effects. This is the first time I have seen them work so well outside of PC sim racing.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:02 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Leadfoot5 wrote:This game has me wishing for a "First Corner" feature that would turn everyone transparent for the first cornhole corner of each track. It would allow the idiots to plow into the sand without taking anyone else out and allow more cautious drivers like me to be able to brake a bit too early without fear of getting nailed...
Has that been in a game before? That's an awesome idea if not.

I like that idea too...wouldnt have to say sorry every fourth race.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:19 pm

Lead,
I had a power blip that took me out. But at that point my car was torn up so it didn't really matter.

I wish this game had different racing style than just 8 players a track. I think a rally mode for online would be a nice small addition.

In the offline career mode, I just would like some variety in the modes.

Leadfoot5 · Post by **Leadfoot5** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:21 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Leadfoot5 wrote:This game has me wishing for a "First Corner" feature that would turn everyone transparent for the first cornhole corner of each track. It would allow the idiots to plow into the sand without taking anyone else out and allow more cautious drivers like me to be able to brake a bit too early without fear of getting nailed...
Has that been in a game before? That's an awesome idea if not.

Thanks. The more I think about it, it would be nice if it was another of the configurable host options, and instead of the game having to know about the corners, the host can just configure a "safety time", maybe in the range of 10-30 seconds. Some new racers have trouble in traffic in the opening straights from the start, so this would help with those instances as well.... I'll pop over to the Forza boards and post it as a suggestion...

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 2:52 pm

TCrouch wrote:I noticed that myself. The offline career is kind of a "well, this feels exactly like the last Forza with better upgrades and a better feel for the competition you'll face".

But online, it just trumps almost any online console racer I've played. The restrictions you can put on a race, the race conditions will change from track to track, and that PI rating is superb.

This will probably push me over the edge to pick it up.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:18 pm

One thing we could also do, but I haven't yet, is put a starting grid in True Skill Ranking format. I always reverse it so the "better" rankings have to work through the field and nobody will watch the fastest guys take off in turn one and never look back, but maybe that's what the majority would rather have...the fast guys start in the front, the slow guys in the rear, and the medium guys right where they should be. That will let the new players and cautious guys hang back while the fast guys blaze flat out to the first turn and then check out (which usually happens anyway, only it's after much carnage).

Maybe tonight I'll try that as the grid start and see how it goes. It is kind of backwards to my way of thinking, but it will probably allow smoother starts overall without the field reversing itself after 1 turn anyway, and fast guys slamming into slower guys (I cornholed JRod on a start yesterday badly...it's like he couldn't get the car going and I slammed him almost at a dead stop when I was doing probably 50mph already. Sorry about that JRod).

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:27 pm

TCrouch wrote:One thing we could also do, but I haven't yet, is put a starting grid in True Skill Ranking format. I always reverse it so the "better" rankings have to work through the field and nobody will watch the fastest guys take off in turn one and never look back, but maybe that's what the majority would rather have...the fast guys start in the front, the slow guys in the rear, and the medium guys right where they should be. That will let the new players and cautious guys hang back while the fast guys blaze flat out to the first turn and then check out (which usually happens anyway, only it's after much carnage).

Maybe tonight I'll try that as the grid start and see how it goes. It is kind of backwards to my way of thinking, but it will probably allow smoother starts overall without the field reversing itself after 1 turn anyway, and fast guys slamming into slower guys (I cornholed JRod on a start yesterday badly...it's like he couldn't get the car going and I slammed him almost at a dead stop when I was doing probably 50mph already. Sorry about that JRod).

I like that approach I think. I am alwyas in the catagory of more cautious around the first trun so I end up getting nailed from behind. I rarely have a problem of going in too fast.

Leadfoot5 · Post by **Leadfoot5** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:42 pm

TCrouch wrote:Maybe tonight I'll try that as the grid start and see how it goes. It is kind of backwards to my way of thinking, but it will probably allow smoother starts overall without the field reversing itself after 1 turn anyway, and fast guys slamming into slower guys (I cornholed JRod on a start yesterday badly...it's like he couldn't get the car going and I slammed him almost at a dead stop when I was doing probably 50mph already. Sorry about that JRod).

I really like this idea as well... Looking forward to racing a bit tonight, but I probably won't be on until around 10pm PDT.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:58 pm

I actually think reverve true skill would be the best option, but it's not there. Seems to me you want the better drivers at the rear of the grid, assuming the order is relatively the same once you get to turn one.

I hate the idea of any kind of 'collisions off' mode, even if it's for the first turn. I hate getting punted, or taken out in turn one as much as anyone, but for me racing without collisions on is just not interesting at all. Hot lapping is fine, but racing has to involve some potential to crash with other cars.

I think people just need to try to drive as if other cars are on the track, rather than trying to hot lap all the time, when racing online. I highly encourage the use of the braking-only line for just about everyone, as I really think that more than any other kind of option helps aleviate the worst corn-holing. I've certainly caused my share of accidents, and I hate it when I do (NYIsles, I watched the replay of when I took out your Caddy, and that was bad. . . I'm sorry; I really didn't know you were there as I had just passed a yellow car, and that's my bad), but it seems to me a lot of people don't adjust their driving sufficiently when there is traffic. Just because you are quicker than the car in front of you doesn't mean you should just barge through, or even try to drive as fast as you can on every corner. You have to react to the fact that there is a car in front of you.

On the other hand, Mix, you are far too genteel and 'country club' (as 'hey, I'm Kieth Hernandez' would say), and need to be more agressive when trying to pass or hold a position.

I know, that all sounds contradictory, so I guess it's a fine line between the two. I don't mind getting hit when it's a fair attempt to pass, but I really hate getting hit from behind in the approach to a corner, or when somebody dives back onto the track in the middle of traffic.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:05 pm

I hope to make it on a bit tonight (I saw your invite last night, Zepp, but the game was actually paused while the little lady was watching a movie). What cars is everyone racing? What should I make sure to have? Right now I've just got a starter Volkswagen and some swanky 70's car I won from my first circuit.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:27 pm

I need to ask a favor of anyone who races against Zeppo:

If he even nudges you, yell at the top of your lungs, in the most incoherent, blood-curdling voice possible, "YOU F*CKED ME!" Then, count to three one-thousand and say firmly, but without screaming, "YOU DICK! YOU ARE A F*CKING DICK."

Take care,
PK

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 5:36 pm

Damn you guys! After talking to lsdean last night I thought I'd be able to hold off on this game for a while but it sounds so much fun! My wallet will be lighter come Sunday.

Leadfoot5 · Post by **Leadfoot5** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:02 pm

pk500 wrote:I need to ask a favor of anyone who races against Zeppo:

If he even nudges you, yell at the top of your lungs, in the most incoherent, blood-curdling voice possible, "YOU F*CKED ME!" Then, count to three one-thousand and say firmly, but without screaming, "YOU DICK! YOU ARE A F*CKING DICK."

Take care,
PK

For what it's worth PK, last night the DSP veterans were commenting on how much you (and your yelling) were missed.

Wilk5280 · Post by **Wilk5280** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:21 pm

I'm off to the store to pick this up tonight. Looks like my MLB season will be slowing down a bit.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:47 pm

What cars has everybody bought?

In my collection not counting the ones I've won...

2006 Ashton Martin - Drive like a dream. No wonder 007 is awesome in it.

2005 Mustang - I needed to buy an american car. It's okay. I'm going to sell it and get a 2006 Shelby.

I need to get an asian car but I don't know which one I'm going to invest in. I think I'm going to update a few cars balls out and see how much damage they can do.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 6:54 pm

I bought the 2004 Saleen 'Stang and the Lotus Exige for specific race requirements. The rest are reward cars.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:11 pm

GF'ed it. Shipped out today! I'll join you knuckleheads in a couple of days...looking forward to it...

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:34 pm

Zeppo wrote:On the other hand, Mix, you are far too genteel and 'country club' (as 'hey, I'm Kieth Hernandez' would say), and need to be more agressive when trying to pass or hold a position.

Yeah, that's one of my big problems. I'm too much of a "care bear" and am always afraid of messing up someone's race. I just need to have a few drinks before racing so I don't give a crap if I trade some paint.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Jun 01, 2007 7:53 pm

mixdj1 wrote:
Zeppo wrote:On the other hand, Mix, you are far too genteel and 'country club' (as 'hey, I'm Kieth Hernandez' would say), and need to be more agressive when trying to pass or hold a position.
Yeah, that's one of my big problems. I'm too much of a "care bear" and am always afraid of messing up someone's race. I just need to have a few drinks before racing so I don't give a crap if I trade some paint.

Thats the spirit