Forza Motorsportis the eighth mainline game in the Xbox exclusive racing series, and it looks to improve upon the first seven in a number of ways.Forzais Microsoft’s answer toGran Turismo, and it is far more than an imitator, as many believe it bests the Polyphony Digital franchise. Its meticulous attention to detail means it can be enjoyed by people wanting a realistic experience, but it feels fast and user-friendly enough to appeal to casual fans.
A recent trailer showed offForza Motorsport’s technical prowess with visual, audio, and presentational flourishes that developer Turn 10 Studios is surely hoping will be a trailblazer that all other racing games have to follow in the future. To make this a reality, it has to achieve a high level of detail while maintaining the fun that can be had in throwing a car around a track at high speeds. The gameplay changes that the weather can have on that experience is substantial, and the upcoming 2023 game should capitalize on it to ensure that each lap can be truly different from the last.
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Weather Conditions are Vital in Real-World Racing
In the real world, driving in bad conditions can make the simple feat of getting from A to B far tougher. On the circuit with other cars fighting for the lead, it can be near-impossible to finish first. Hot weather can make a track surface warmer, ensuring there is more grip on the racing line, whereas damp conditions can drastically reduce it, meaning speed is slower as drivers attempt not just to win the race, but to also stay facing the right way. Most people don’t get to experience this feeling in real-life, butForza Motorsportcan help bridge the gapand give fans a piece of the action.
Driving around the same corners can get old fast, even with themyriad of cars inForza Motorsportthat are available to players. Setting fast lap times and finishing in first place is the carrot on the stick, but without a level of unpredictability it can feel stale after a while. Dynamic weather can elevate the presentational value of a game massively, but having it impact the way that a car feels can make each new lap a fresh challenge. Some cars may react differently during wet conditions, for example, meaning that the already impressive line-up of vehicles in Turn 10 Studios' upcoming track racer feels even more expansive.
Forza Could Show Aesthetics Should Affect Gameplay More
Some players may excel in different weather, meaning that the in-game conditions can help ensureForza Motorsportis constantly competitive. The day-and-night cycle could dampen visibility, soracing around the likes of Maple Valley, Spa-Francorchamps, and Laguna Seca while it’s dark and wet could throw a wrench in the works, effectively renderingForza Motorsportmore likeMario KartthanAssetto Corsa. It would giveForza Motorsportmore diversity than could help to separate it from games likeGran TurismoandF1 22, and could also contribute to the realism that Xbox and Turn 10 Studios have been promising since the game was announced in Summer 2020.
With graphical fidelity across all genres improving as hardware gets more advanced, the need for environments to have an impact on gameplay feels more pressing. It can be frustrating when Nathan Drake scales a slippery wall behind a waterfall in the same manner as a dry ladder, for example, since it doesn’t take into account how the environment should change how the game feels to play, and how the characters on screen operate. In the racing genre, it could be critical.Simulation racersaim to be as close to the real thing as possible, and not taking into account weather conditions that change the dryness and temperature of the track as well as visibility could take some players out of the experience.
Forza Motorsportis scheduled to release in Spring 2023 on PC and Xbox consoles.
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