Forza 5

[Zeppo]

I'm still only level 3 or something but I'm staring to get accustomed to the game. I used TCS and no stability control this morning and it got a lot better. I think my drivatar will be less of an ass hole after this morning!

And of course now I'm really falling in love with this game. Holy crap Spa never looked so beautiful in a game! It's just gorgeous. I haven't been happy to sit and watch replays after races in a long, long time, and this game is just so amazing looking that I'm doing it all the time. I really wish I could select one specific replay camera in the replays, specifically I'd love to watch the whole race from the helicopter. But instead you just have the auto-editing of the "replay cameras." But no matter, the replays are fantastic.

The drivatars are pretty amazing as well. It's unlike any AI racing I've ever experienced and it's truly fun and crazy and organic and unpredictable and just amazing. With 16 cars in the track most times (finally!) there is always a car or two at least nearby to chase or to keep ahead of. I don't know how they auto-balance the drivatar difficulty or if I'm just in an early days sweet spot, but I'm always in the middle of competitive cars. The mistakes the drivatars make truly feel like real people mistakes. It's a little hectic in the early corners with tons of banging, and I get hammered from behind more often than I'd like, but maybe that will get better as I get better and as drivatars get more data. Also I'm in class C or B cars, not any real race cars. But whatever annoyances there may be, this offline racing game feels truly revolutionary because of the drivatars.

Thanks for suggesting I use Explorer on the Xbone to get the online rewards. It's not such an horrific interface once I get the smartglass going, to be honest.

We have to get some online racing in sometime soon.

Oh yeah - while I don't like the overall trend of micro transactions, I am resigned to it being part of gaming from now on in one way or another. I do think in these relatively early days, there will be some clumsy overreaching from publishers from time to time. So far, however, I don't feel Forza 5 as is is overpriced at the $60.00 full game price. I may feel differently later, as I've barely scratched the surface, but I see tons of content stretching in front of me, enough that I'm not too pissed about there being so relatively few cars in the basic game compared to Forza 4. But of course after my very very enjoyable session this AM I am tempted to just buy the 6 car-pack thing for $50.00. It's crazy because it's not like there aren't way too many good cars already in the game I've yet to even sniff at, but nonetheless the promise of "more, more, more" is always tempting. But that's how this stuff works, the psychology is pretty straightforward.

Anyway I'm loving the game so far now that I'm getting a handle on the controls. The Xbine controller is pretty amazing with the extra rumbles. It's truly a huge step forward from old gen. 360 and PS3 controllers.

[XXXIV]

The Xbine controller is pretty amazing with the extra rumbles. It's truly a huge step forward from old gen. 360 and PS3 controllers.

That is not what I have been reading. Good to read here and now though.

[Diablo25]

So close to getting this. Still hedging though.

[Rodster]

So close to getting this. Still hedging though.

It's really good and the graphics are off the chart. I still prefer the car handling in Gran Turismo over Forza as the weight shift and weight transfer tends to more believable but Forza is definitely a must have if you like racing games. I haven't had any issues with the controller and it doesn't look or feel cheap.

[Dave]

The bumpers on the XOne controller feel like a step back from the 360, but that's it for me. The other improvements, especially the rumble in the triggers, more than make up for it - especially in Forza.

I hope they eventually release more tracks, even if it is as PDLC. I miss Sonoma Raceway and Road America a lot, especially with how fun the Dallara is to drive on road courses.

[mixdj1]

Yeah, I don't understand the complaints about the controller I have read in other threads. I find it an improved version of the 360 controller and the rumble triggers are amazing in Forza. Being able to feel the brakes locking up and the wheels losing grip in the triggers really help keep the car under control. I also have no problem using the bumpers. I haven't used the PS4 controller so maybe it is much better than the XB1 controller but I loved the 360 controller and the XB1 controller feels like an enhanced version of the 360 controller. No complaints here.

[dbdynsty25]

Yeah, I don't understand the complaints about the controller I have read in other threads. I find it an improved version of the 360 controller and the rumble triggers are amazing in Forza. Being able to feel the brakes locking up and the wheels losing grip in the triggers really help keep the car under control. I also have no problem using the bumpers. I haven't used the PS4 controller so maybe it is much better than the XB1 controller but I loved the 360 controller and the XB1 controller feels like an enhanced version of the 360 controller. No complaints here.

Enhanced functionally yes...but it feels like a cheaply made piece of sh*t. Seriously...I cannot stand the cheaper, thinner plastic, the uneven seams (especially at the palmrest points of the controllers) and the overall lack of polish for this 100 million dollar redesign. Yes, the rumble triggers are good in Forza...absolutely crap everywhere else they've been implemented. I don't see how anyone can think this thing feels better in hand than the 360 controller.

[mixdj1]

Yeah, I don't understand the complaints about the controller I have read in other threads. I find it an improved version of the 360 controller and the rumble triggers are amazing in Forza. Being able to feel the brakes locking up and the wheels losing grip in the triggers really help keep the car under control. I also have no problem using the bumpers. I haven't used the PS4 controller so maybe it is much better than the XB1 controller but I loved the 360 controller and the XB1 controller feels like an enhanced version of the 360 controller. No complaints here.

Enhanced functionally yes...but it feels like a cheaply made piece of sh*t. Seriously...I cannot stand the cheaper, thinner plastic, the uneven seams (especially at the palmrest points of the controllers) and the overall lack of polish for this 100 million dollar redesign. Yes, the rumble triggers are good in Forza...absolutely crap everywhere else they've been implemented. I don't see how anyone can think this thing feels better in hand than the 360 controller.

Maybe there is a major variance in the quality of units being shipped out. I have two XB1 controllers and they both feel solidly built to me. No sounds or movements if I twist or shake the body of the controller and the buttons and sticks move very smoothly for me. In contrast, each of my XB360 controllers (I own 6) except for one have had at least one small issue per controller. Usually it was a slight drift in the analog stick if not held directly straight up, triggers that squeaked when used, or loose vibration motors that caused a rattling sound when they activate. I haven't experienced any quality issues such as these with my XB1 controllers. They feel and work perfectly. The only aspect where the XB360 controller feels superior to me is the weight. The XB1 controller does feel a bit too light but only when I go back and forth between the two controllers.

I'm not trying to discount your experience with the controller. I know you are very particular about your gadgets so I'm sure your controllers are flawed as you describe. But I am very obsessive about the tiniest details and my experience with the controller has been very different. Maybe I just got lucky with the build quality on the two I received.

[Diablo25]

Yeah, I don't understand the complaints about the controller I have read in other threads. I find it an improved version of the 360 controller and the rumble triggers are amazing in Forza. Being able to feel the brakes locking up and the wheels losing grip in the triggers really help keep the car under control. I also have no problem using the bumpers. I haven't used the PS4 controller so maybe it is much better than the XB1 controller but I loved the 360 controller and the XB1 controller feels like an enhanced version of the 360 controller. No complaints here.

Enhanced functionally yes...but it feels like a cheaply made piece of sh*t. Seriously...I cannot stand the cheaper, thinner plastic, the uneven seams (especially at the palmrest points of the controllers) and the overall lack of polish for this 100 million dollar redesign. Yes, the rumble triggers are good in Forza...absolutely crap everywhere else they've been implemented. I don't see how anyone can think this thing feels better in hand than the 360 controller.

Maybe there is a major variance in the quality of units being shipped out. I have two XB1 controllers and they both feel solidly built to me. No sounds or movements if I twist or shake the body of the controller and the buttons and sticks move very smoothly for me. In contrast, each of my XB360 controllers (I own 6) except for one have had at least one small issue per controller. Usually it was a slight drift in the analog stick if not held directly straight up, triggers that squeaked when used, or loose vibration motors that caused a rattling sound when they activate. I haven't experienced any quality issues such as these with my XB1 controllers. They feel and work perfectly. The only aspect where the XB360 controller feels superior to me is the weight. The XB1 controller does feel a bit too light but only when I go back and forth between the two controllers.

I'm not trying to discount your experience with the controller. I know you are very particular about your gadgets so I'm sure your controllers are flawed as you describe. But I am very obsessive about the tiniest details and my experience with the controller has been very different. Maybe I just got lucky with the build quality on the two I received.

I'm with you Mix. The controller does feel lighter to me, but I have a chatpad on my 360 controller so that makes an obvious difference. The controller definitely feels better in my hand than the 360 controller. If I were to make suggestions to MS I would ask that the XBOX button be raised a bit (ala the 360 controller) and add a LITTLE texture to the body for grip. I am nit-picking though. My big beef with the DS4 is the location of the sticks. It's an awesome, well built controller...best Sony has ever made...but I'm used to the staggered location of MS's controllers. That being said, I'm nit-picking Sony too because it's a great controller. I love the grip and, believe it or not, the touchpad and speaker.

There has been a lot of criticism of the new consoles across the internet...which is fine. Me? I've been totally impressed by both. They have both delivered what they advertised and left plenty of room for growth. I'm very excited for to see them both grow and fortunate to have both.

[Zeppo]

I like the new Xbone controller, but I do hear what DB is saying. The seams aren't great, and the plastic of the body does feel less substantial than that used in the 360 controllers. But one of things I really like is how much lighter it is than the 360 controller, and surely that's largely due to the plastic used for the casing.

And it just fits better in my hands as well. The handles, for lack of a better word, fit deeper into my palms and that makes it more comfortable. The sticks being higher, also more comfortable. The new triggers are much better, and the 360 triggers were pretty damn good. I don't love the new bumpers, but they don't really bother me in gameplay. The new D-pad is finally a really good d-pad on an xbox controller. The lack of a bulging battery pack is a huge improvement as well. And finally the extra vibrations are a huge leap. Maybe so far they only really work in Forza, that may be true. I haven't payed enough battlefield to know how or even if they work there, and otherwise I'm pretty much playing FIFA. But having the extra feedback the extra rumble motors give is a huge leap, as far as I'm concerned.

I still haven't even unboxed my PS4 so I am looking forward to the new Sony controller. So unlike DB, I'm not comparing the two new controllers to each other. But for me, comparing the Xbone controller to all that have come before, I think it's the best controller I've used, and because of the extra rumble motors and better triggers it's truly a next-gen kind of leap in terms of adding feedback to my gaming that simply didn't exist before the Xbone.

[dbdynsty25]

I'm not even comparing the X1 controller to the Ps4 in this thread...strictly with the 360. If you want to compare em its not even close. The PS4 wins without a doubt. I do prefer the staggered sticks as well but the rest of it is so much higher quality its almost laughable. I had about 15 360 controllers over the last 8 years (mostly because I went through 5 systems) and outside of the stick drift occasionally (as mentioned) they were built much much better than the X1.

All that said...I probably just got a dud. Maybe I should go grab a second to see if they are all as bad as the Day One controller I've got.

[Diablo25]

I'm not even comparing the X1 controller to the Ps4 in this thread...strictly with the 360. If you want to compare em its not even close. The PS4 wins without a doubt. I do prefer the staggered sticks as well but the rest of it is so much higher quality its almost laughable. I had about 15 360 controllers over the last 8 years (mostly because I went through 5 systems) and outside of the stick drift occasionally (as mentioned) they were built much much better than the X1.

All that said...I probably just got a dud. Maybe I should go grab a second to see if they are all as bad as the Day One controller I've got.

Some good points DB, but to say its not even close is 'laughable' IMO. To each his own I guess.

[DChaps]

The online leader boards are up, but don't seem fully functional yet.

http://www.forzamotorsport.net/en-us/leaderboards

[XXXIV]

The online leader boards are up, but don't seem fully functional yet.

http://www.forzamotorsport.net/en-us/leaderboards

So sad I cant play ...No matter how terrible the controller is.

[TCrouch]

Controller is good for Forza. I have no problems with it. My "Day One" controller DOES make a little shaky sound when I shake it, though. Unlike my non-day-one, which is solid. I don't know, it's weird. Overall, the controller is better to play with in FM5 than it has been in any previous racing game. The tactile triggers alone are much better than any other controller for racing games.

What is pissing me off to no end is the wheel that I cannot get. Nobody has any information on it, even. Best Buy just says "shipping not available", Walmart actually took my order as in stock, and would be there Thursday, Dec 5th. Then it came and went and the order still said it would be there Thursday....when it was Friday. Then they moved it to out of stock, then Gamestop says the item is shown as "Unlisted".

Fry's shows them sold out, and Newegg says they're in stock, but I highly doubt it at this point when nobody else has stock anywhere.

Such a complete and total fiasco to make it so my wheels don't work, then don't allow me to even get the one I'm required to get to use with my XB1. I saw a video of guys modding the X1 to make any controllers work, so that's kinda cool. But why have a peripheral that you cannot obtain be the ONLY one that works?

More frustrations.

[mixdj1]

Terry,

I ordered the Thrustmaster wheel from Newegg and it is out for delivery today. I'd give them a shot. I can't give impressions as it is a Christmas gift and will be going under the tree until the 25th.

[TCrouch]

Thanks for the heads up, Mix. No idea why Newegg has them and nobody else on the web does, but I put an order in and it charged, and says it's packaging minutes later.

I guess I won't scratch my head over it too much, though...when did you order yours? I tried this same thing with Walmart and they acted as if it was being processed--then sat like that for days.

[mixdj1]

I ordered Friday evening and it shipped on Saturday. Good luck with your order.

[TCrouch]

Thanks, mate. That at least tells me that they had stock when nobody else did, so it's a better shot than I had anywhere else.

Thanks again!

[mixdj1]

Just arrived.

[TCrouch]

Yeah, yeah, rub it in

[mixdj1]

Yeah, yeah, rub it in

Yeah but unfortunately I agreed to it being a Christmas gift so I just get to stare at the box for two weeks. At least you'll get to use yours when it arrives.

[mixdj1]

FYI, there is a firmware update available for the TX Wheel:

http://ts.thrustmaster.com/eng/index.ph ... 366&cid=15

[TCrouch]

Thanks for the heads up...it's been sitting in "Packaging" for almost 24 hours now. I'm not too encouraged, as this is exactly what happened with me at Walmart.com

[dbdynsty25]

Thanks for the heads up...it's been sitting in "Packaging" for almost 24 hours now. I'm not too encouraged, as this is exactly what happened with me at Walmart.com

If you don't choose rush processing and pay the $2.99 through Newegg...it'll do that sometimes, especially if you purchase something after 11am PST. Yes, I know all the time cutoffs and shipping procedures at Newegg. Ugh.