Forza Motorsport 2 Race Weekend – and the truth behind the hype

Tomorrow is the US retail release of Forza Motorsport 2 for the Xbox 360, so Microsoft Game Studios is justified in trying to build up hype with what looks like a fun weekend.

June 1 through June 3 is going to be “Forza Motorsport 2 Race Weekend.”

What can you expect this weekend? A “Play and Win” contest and other contests, some gameplay sessions with developers, and a leaderboard tournament. Prizes include Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheels (which makes sense since Forza Motorsport 2 was developed and tested with the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel in mind).

And time for our unsolicited opinion. Do we think Forza Motorsport 2 is worth the hype? Well, let’s just remember this: Forza Motorsport (May 2005) for the Xbox was an outright success: it got rave reviews from most sites, sold more than 1 million copies worldwide, and was used as a console-seller (it was used in console bundling promotions).

Heck, with nearly a quarter of a million polygons per car and seamless gameplay, how do you think Forza 2 is going to do?

For those still wondering if Forza Motorsport 2 is worth the hype, Microsoft Game Studios released this list of the game’s features (this is a shortened list; we removed all the press release words like “uncompromising” and “masterpiece”):

• Collect, upgrade and tune hundreds of cars. More than 300 cars from over 50 of the world’s leading manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Nissan, Volkswagen, General Motors and Lamborghini.
• Go to the garage and install alternative engines, suspension kits, bolt-on superchargers, brakes, rims and racing slicks.
• Dial in advanced suspension settings, tire pressure and gear ratios.
• Advanced physics simulation. Cars incur dramatic damage and wear, which affects vehicle performance. Advanced tire and suspension models respond to heat and pressure changes as well as weight transfer and aerodynamic load.

More features to back up the hype after the jump! Click on the Full Article link below.

Tomorrow is the US retail release of Forza Motorsport 2 for the Xbox 360, so Microsoft Game Studios is justified in trying to build up hype with what looks like a fun weekend.

June 1 through June 3 is going to be “Forza Motorsport 2 Race Weekend.”

What can you expect this weekend? A “Play and Win” contest and other contests, some gameplay sessions with developers, and a leaderboard tournament. Prizes include Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheels (which makes sense since Forza Motorsport 2 was developed and tested with the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel in mind).

For those still wondering if Forza Motorsport 2 is worth the hype, Microsoft Game Studios released this list of the game’s features (this is a shortened list; we removed all the press release words like “uncompromising” and “masterpiece”):

• Collect, upgrade and tune hundreds of cars. More than 300 cars from over 50 of the world’s leading manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Nissan, Volkswagen, General Motors and Lamborghini.
• Go to the garage and install alternative engines, suspension kits, bolt-on superchargers, brakes, rims and racing slicks.
• Dial in advanced suspension settings, tire pressure and gear ratios.
• Advanced physics simulation. Cars incur dramatic damage and wear, which affects vehicle performance. Advanced tire and suspension models respond to heat and pressure changes as well as weight transfer and aerodynamic load.
• Real-world tracks from around the world. Features 47 ribbons across 12 environments, including real-world licensed circuits such as Mugello, Suzuka, and Sebring International Raceway.
• Paint and upgrade shops with nearly endless personalization options. Players can customize the shape of their car by combining different licensed rims, performance parts, and aftermarket body kits.
• Millions of paint and decal options.
• Take in-game pictures in “Photo Mode.”
• Sell their work for in-game credits over Xbox Live in “Forza Motorsport 2 Auction House.”
• Rumble functionality in the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Feel every acceleration, downshift, and turn.
• Online community. Go to Xbox Live for private online races or for large public tournaments that are integrated “Forza Motorsport 2 Career Mode.” Earn in-game credits and even complete single-player career objectives while racing over Xbox Live. Or just watch the best races on “Forza Motorsport 2 TV.”

Forza Motorsport 2 was developed by Turn 10 Studios (a part of Microsoft Game Studios) and is being published by Microsoft Game Studios. It has an ESRB E rating and hits U.S. retail stores tomorrow (May 29, 2007) and Europe around June 8, 2007.

And time for our unsolicited opinion. Do we think Forza Motorsport 2 is worth the hype? Well, let’s just remember this: Forza Motorsport (May 2005) for the Xbox was an outright success: it got rave reviews from most sites, sold more than 1 million copies worldwide, and was used as a console-seller (it was used in console bundling promotions).

Heck, with nearly a quarter of a million polygons per car and seamless gameplay, how do you think Forza 2 is going to do?