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Forza Horizon 2 · Review Thread

strata8

Member
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Metacritic · 86/100
GameRankings · 87%

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IGN · 9/10
http://au.ign.com/articles/2014/09/25/forza-horizon-2-review
The first Forza Horizon set a new standard for open-world racing games, and Forza Horizon 2 has comprehensively updated that standard. The location is right, the car list extensive, the handling nuanced but accessible, and the visuals are excellent. Above everything it’s always fun, whether you’re in a ludicrous Land Rover race or sniffing out a hidden Barn Find. Forza Horizon 2 is Test Drive Unlimited, PGR, Smuggler’s Run, and Forza Motorsport all crammed into a T-shirt cannon and fired into your face. It wears its inspiration on its sleeves but damn if that’s not a killer combination.

Eurogamer · 9/10
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-09-25-forza-horizon-2-review
It's going to be a busy season for racing games, with sim hopeful Project Cars, ambitious online "CarPG" The Crew and the social score-attack of DriveClub all jostling for attention. Horizon 2 sets an intimidatingly high bar for those games to meet on every front, but in one aspect it seems unbeatable. I can't imagine any of them are going to feel this happy.

Eurogamer Italy · 9/10
http://www.eurogamer.it/articles/20...n-2-il-racing-game-italiano-review-recensione
Playground Games and Microsoft come back to Forza Horizon to offer a new, greatly achieved episode of the Forza Motorsport spin-off. Exploration in France and Italy, variable weather conditions and night & day cycle are spectacular views you should not miss in this new Xbox killer application.

Eurogamer Germany · 9/10
http://www.eurogamer.de/articles/2014-09-25-forza-horizon-2-test

Polygon · 7/10
http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/25/6255023/forza-horizon-2-review-xbox-one
The excellent foundation below Forza Horizon 2's open world and the experimentation that it occasionally encourages at least provide a reason to race there. But that same open world serves as a less well-executed space to race and drive than the tracks that have defined previous games, and the open-world activities can't quite make up the difference.

Joystiq · 4/5
http://www.joystiq.com/2014/09/25/forza-horizon-2-review-fetch-the-bentley-were-going-for-a-dri/
If Forza Horizon 2 has a philosophy, then, it's that you're free to dig in as far as you want. That doesn't speak to the amount of content you consume, per se, but the level of personal dedication you want to apply. If you just feel like having a fun drive along a pretty road with Chvrches playing on the radio, go ahead and do it. When you're ready to bump into big trucks in the rain, staring at your screen without blinking, there'll be a suitable championship or multiplayer roadtrip for you on the next stop. There's more to the feel of driving in Forza Horizon 2 than what the post-race screen says.

Forza Horizon 2's world isn't the most lively, beset as it is by roaming bands of automotive enthusiasts, but it leaves room for the living – for you.

TotalXbox · 8/10
http://www.totalxbox.com/81375/reviews/forza-horizon-2-xbox-one-review
A triumph in so many respects that lets itself down with some technical issues and a world that needed more variety in the way it looks. That, however, shouldn't stop you from picking this up and loving it until the end of this console generation. Forza Horizon 2 is an accomplishment, and a showcase for what open-world racers can do.

The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/25/6842541/forza-horizon-2-review
Still, on balance, this is the most satisfying driving and racing experience I’ve ever had in the video game world. Two years ago, Forza Horizon impressed me for how deftly it walked a fine line that allowed it to appeal equally to an entire spectrum of people from casual gamers to hardcore racing sim fanatics — the sequel walks that line every bit as well. Amateurs can dial down the difficulty settings, take it easy, and just let the game’s host (an affable English gentleman named Ben) walk them through the key milestones; seasoned veterans can make the game extraordinarily difficult, dip into the roster of 200-plus available cars, tweak setups ad nauseam, and explore the open world for dozens of hours

Destructoid · 9.5/10
http://www.destructoid.com/review-forza-horizon-2-281598.phtml
Every element in Forza Horizon 2 adds up to an exceptional experience. The story isn't over the top so as to get in the way of racing, driving feels as good as it ever did in Forza Motorsport, there's a ton of things to do, and the game looks absolutely beautiful -- especially the long-awaited dynamic weather system. Forza Horizon 2 is a must-have on the Xbox One.

EGMNow · 7.5/10
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-forza-horizon-2/
In many ways, it’s clear that Forza Horizon 2 is definitely bigger than the original. It’s a great racer in terms of gameplay and chock-full of content that could potentially keep you busy for months on end. But gutting the story—and taking away one of the key pillars that made the first Forza Horizon so special—to blur the line between single- and multiplayer left a sour taste in my mouth. If all you care about is getting behind the wheel and scenic European vistas, though, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better experience.

LazyGamer · 8.9/10
http://www.lazygamer.net/xbox-360/forza-horizon-2-review-back-seat-drivatar/
The first Horizon was hailed as one of the best racing titles on the Xbox 360, and its sequel just raises the bar. As an arcade or simulation racer, there's not that much that Forza Horizon 2 does wrong. This shouldn't even be a question for racing fanatics, and I'll easily recommend it to every other Xbox owner out there.

GameReactor Sweden · 7/10
http://www.gamereactor.se/recensioner/192194/Forza+Horizon+2/

GameReactor Spain · 9/10
http://www.gamereactor.es/analisis/192944/Forza+Horizon+2/

Press-Start · 9/10
http://press-start.com.au/2014/09/25/review-forza-horizon-2/
Forza Horizon 2 is the best racing game available on PS4 or Xbox One. It is extremely suitable to those who are experts in the genre or those who are looking to casually get into a racing game for the first time. It provides a lot of depth in all areas and provides stunning locations to ensure that the hardware is at full use. I’d highly recommend it to almost anybody.

GamePro · 91/100
http://www.gamepro.de/xbox/spiele/xbox-one/forza-horizon-2/test/forza_horizon_2,51143,3078646,2.html

GameSided · 9/10
http://gamesided.com/2014/09/25/forza-horizon-2-review-fantastic-voyage/
I had an absolutely fantastic time playing Forza Horizon 2. I really can’t reiterate that enough. Much to my surprise, it is so much more than just another racing game and will bring hours of competitive gaming. Forza Horizon 2 is a highly addicting adrenaline rush that never lets off the gas. It is a competitive and social stratosphere where you can constantly improve your skills, master new races, beat your friends, all while exploring the magnificent world that is Forza Horizon 2

Saving Content · 5/5
http://www.savingcontent.com/2014/09/25/forza-horizon-2-review/
I can’t recommend Forza Horizon 2 hard enough. If I could give it a 6/5 I would, it’s stunning to look at, the controls are tight, the sounds are soothing, and is just all around fun to play; it just hit all my happy spots. I’d have to say that this is my favorite game to date on the Xbox One. Is this worth your hard earned $60, yes it is. Oh my goodness, yes it is.

CraveOnline · 9.5/10
http://www.craveonline.com.au/gamin...horizon-2-review-racing-paradise-xbox-one-360
There are so many good things that can be said about Forza Horizon 2. It isn’t just a game that brings immense satisfaction to car enthusiasts, it’s a highly enjoyable destination for anyone willing to buckle up behind a wheel. Equipped with fun gameplay, an outstanding presentation, and over 100 hours of content and features, Forza Horizon 2 is the greatest open-world racing game the world has ever seen.

GamerSyde
http://www.gamersyde.com/news_we_reviewed_forza_horizon_2-15877_en.html
Let's face it, our main issue with Forza Horizon 2 is the size of its map, which will obviously have an impact on the time players will spend free riding. Aside from that, this sequel is a technically superb racing game that will definitely take you on an enjoyable ride. Races and challenges remind of the good old days spent on PGR and Rallysport Challenge, a resemblance that will clearly appeal to those who used to own - or still do - the original Xbox. Forza Horizon 2 also shares some of the Motorsport series' characteristics, with tuning and livery editor options and a solid physics to go with. Online modes aren't especially new with races and online road trips but they do their job well enough to keep you entertained with strangers or friends. Some of the more original modes have not convinced us that much but they're still worth a try and the departure from the usual races is rather welcome. In fact, Forza Horizon can be summed up in on phrase: the desire for more. You definitely want to spend more time driving the 200+ beautiful cars, exploring the map and admiring the views; at the same time though, you can't help but feel there should be more for you to sink your teeth into, not in terms of content, but in terms of scale. Despite that, we had a great time playing Forza Horizon 2 and we can't wait to see where the franchise is going. We'll be ready when it comes, but until then there is plenty of time to literally seek fresh fields in this second episode

TheSixthAxis · 8/10
http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2014/09/25/forza-horizon-2-review/
Forza Horizon 2 is first past the post for this year’s flagship racing games and that means that it has the advantage of being novel but also the responsibility of being used to measure the rest of the pack. While it does cut a few low-priority corners to make everything run smoothly, racing at 1080p and at a rock solid 30 frames per second is great and the cars are beautifully modelled with handling that seems faithful to reality but with just a dash of arcade-style fun that makes it an unrelenting joy.

Horizon 2 gets the basics right: It’s a great core driving experience with plenty of variation to the events, a respectable catalogue of cars and a large map to explore, but there’s significantly more to it than that. The online system, friendlist leaderboards and clubs system are all relatively unobtrusive if you don’t want to use them but impressively powerful when you do and, although they still go big on the DLC car packs, the return to a lack of micro transactions is very welcome too.

HardcoreGamer · 4.5/5
http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/09/25/review-forza-horizon-2/107170/
There’s an exhausting number of features that have been implemented into Forza Horizon 2. The open world isn’t just an empty free roam field to drive through; there’s so much stuff packed in that it’s a little daunting. Whether gamers fancy playing by themselves or participating in the online features, there’s something here for everyone that will keep them engaged for hours on end. Those seeking realism will be happy to see the highly upgradable and tunable options, while everybody else will find the arcade mechanics deeply enjoyable. With a strong communal focus and a sense of delight when driving around Southern Europe, there’s nothing more relaxing than what Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios have created. One of the most versatile racers on the market, Forza Horizon 2 fires on all cylinders.

NewGameNetwork · 86/100
http://www.newgamenetwork.com/article/1158/2/forza-horizon-2-review/
Forza Horizon 2, for all intents and purposes, is a superior sequel. The addition of a truly open world is fantastic, and produces some exhilarating racing. Most of the structured content, from the Bucket Lists to the Showcase events and smashing XP boards while keeping the score multiplier up, has been carried over from the original game without much alteration, but it’s still just as fun. The car selection is very good, and despite the game not giving many rides away, coins come quick and easy, so affording the car of your dreams won’t require a huge time commitment. This sequel manages to maintain the unique party atmosphere that still works, and the expanded multiplayer options will keep players and clubs busy for a while. On the whole, Forza Horizon 2 comes easily recommended to any arcade racing fans.

Attack of the Fanboy · 5/5
http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/forza-horizon-2-review/
Forza Horizon 2 manages to surpass its predecessor in not only execution, but the intricacy and scope the series has always been known for. The Southern European setting feels larger than Colorado from the first game, not by a geographical standpoint, but in the ability to explore and make your own fun by driving around with friends and creating an adventure. The game has a robust selection of modes and racing events, unfortunately the story is only a bite size portion of a much larger pie. Forza Horizon 2 begs to be explored with various vehicle types and styles to make a very engrossing experience for the car fanatic or the Forza fan. If you missed out on the last Horizon festival, then Forza Horizon 2 is definitely worth checking out. If you’ve already experienced the first Forza Horizon, and enjoyed it, then this is still a must own game. It is the new aspects that truly take Forza Horizon 2 to the next level and build on the foundation that was already a solid racing game.

VentureBeat · 90/100
http://venturebeat.com/2014/09/25/f...hilarating-gaming-moments-of-the-year-review/
I’m not a huge car guy, but Forza Horizon 2 makes me realize that I am someone who loves driving. It combines all the best elements of car culture and empowers players to take and leave the things they enjoy. For example, it has deep tuning options for you mechanics. You can adjust the level of air in your tires if you want. And if you don’t, then don’t even think about it.
On top of that, the open-world is ideal for multiplayer. Gamers can team up with friends and explore the European countryside and even enter championships and events together.
All of these elements work together to make one of the best racing-game experiences I’ve ever had. I like Forza Motorsport 5, but I adore Horizon 2.

VGNetwork · 9/10
http://www.vgnetwork.it/recensioni/forza-horizon-2-47206/
The sum of these elements and tweaks makes Forza Horizon 2 a clear improvement over the first episode in the serie which surpasses in all possible aspects

Meristation · 9/10
http://www.meristation.com/xbox-one/forza-horizon-2/analisis-juego/1982583

Vandal · 8.6/10
http://www.vandal.net/analisis/xbone/forza-horizon-2/24649

GamesRadar · 4/5
http://www.gamesradar.com/forza-horizon-2-review/
Despite minor faults, it's easy to love Forza Horizon 2. With many of the optional features the more serious Motorsport games are known for, along with Horizon's high-octane thrills and massive open landscapes to explore, Forza Horizon 2 is a culmination of the best parts of both games, all in one package.

GameInformer · 82/100
http://www.gameinformer.com/games/f.../25/game-informer-forza-horizon-2-review.aspx
Forza Horizon 2 may not be the perfect sequel, but it still delivers stiff challenges, fun racing moments, and a variety of experiences. Hopefully another few years on the Xbox One can create a clearer direction forward for the series and enable it to continue being a worthy branch of the Forza brand.

NZGamer · 88/100
http://nzgamer.com/reviews/2137/forza-horizon-2.html
Counterintuitive or not, Forza Horizon 2 is a premier title. If you’ve ever wanted to visit Europe, soak up the history and culture in Italy, or bask in the sun on a beach in southern France, then it may not be the game for you. Also, if all you want is a serious racer with the Top Gear guys telling you what to do, then stay well clear. However, if you’d rather bounce maniacally in a Dotcomesqe euro-rave or rip up a hillside of vineyards in a re-conned VW van, then Forza Horizon 2 may be just your thing.

Gaming-Age · A
http://www.gaming-age.com/2014/09/forza-horizon-2-review-xbox-one/
I found Forza Horizon 2 to be stunning, and one of the best new-generation titles I’ve played this year, even outside of the racing genre. There’s so much content packed into this game that I could easily continue to play and see new things weeks after this review is posted. And the the world crafted by Playground Games is so fun to explore, I certainly wouldn’t mind doing just that. Even if you just have a passing interest in racing games, you really owe it to yourself to check out Forza Horizon 2.

GamingTrend · 95/100
http://gamingtrend.com/reviews/forza-horizon-2-easily-the-best-racer-ive-played-in-the-last-decade/
This feels less like a review and more like a love letter to Forza Horizon 2. This game was an absolute joy to review, and I’ll play it long after this article goes live. Like opening the hood on a Ferrari, Forza Horizon 2 is filled from fender to fender with absolute awesome.

InsideGamer · 9+/10
http://www.insidegamer.nl/recensies...-2-review-er-glooit-iets-moois-aan-de-horizon

Videogamer · 8/10
http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/forza_horizon_2_review.html
It lacks variety, both on and offline, and sometimes it strikes a difficult balance between arcade racing and simulation. (It's also far too easy to abuse the rewind function, a problem made worse by the sometimes unclear checkpointing). But there are very few other racing games that can boast such impressive fundamentals, and certainly not very many with a world like this wrapped around them.

GameZone · 9.2/10
http://www.gamezone.de/Forza-Horizo...2-Playgrounds-Rennspielhit-im-Test-1137199/3/

CVG · 9/10
http://www.computerandvideogames.co...n-2-doesnt-need-to-reinvent-the-wheel-review/

NowGamer · 8.5/10
http://www.nowgamer.com/xboxone/xbox-one-reviews/2569701/forza_horizon_2_review.html
Forza Horizon 2 is a satisfying blend of Project Gotham Racing and Test Drive Unlimited, but with the solid driving mechanics of the Forza series. Admittedly that makes it sound like the perfect racing game; it’s not quite that, but it’ll certainly be one to beat as we enter the busiest period for the genre in a very long time.

DigitalChumps · 8.6/10
http://digitalchumps.com/game-reviews/351-xbox-one/forza-horizon-2.html
This title is a blast. The whole "festival" thing just works. It sets a fun vibe without coming off as silly or childish. The racing is serious business, but there are plenty of ways to play that aren't so ardently competitive. The simple act of choosing a car from the garage and aimlessly driving in no particular direction is one of the more enjoyable things I've done on my new Xbox so far. A dizzyingly long list of events to complete seems is counterbalanced with the truncated Road Trip campaign. Online Freeroam offers plenty of stuff to do, and can be a great time with the right cast of characters. And the audiovisual package is a stunning piece of work that can take you by surprise with its majesty every now and again. Horizon 2 is a very good racing game with strong principles, entertaining modes, a ton of events, and an envious catalog of vehicles.

We Got This Covered · 4.5/5
http://wegotthiscovered.com/gaming/forza-horizon-2-review/
Overall, Forza Horizon 2 is a masterful racing game that needs to be experienced by all fans of its genre. It’s a fantastic and rich effort, and is definitely worth buying an Xbox One for.

TrustedReviews · 10/10
http://www.trustedreviews.com/forza-horizon-2-review
A near-perfect arcade racer, with gorgeous graphics, beautiful scenery and some of the best on-road and off-road driving around. With Forza 5’s guts still inside it, you can make Horizon 2 as arcade-easy or demanding as you choose, and throughout the game shows a level of flair and invention that leaves its would-be rivals choking dust. It might not be the best racing game we’ll see this year, but it sets a fearsomely high benchmark for others to beat.
 

adelante

Member
Great first review, predicting a metacritic score of 86 for this. Wouldn't be surprised if it goes even lower, festival theme might not appeal to most.
 

Into

Member
Well if italians think its a 9/10 then how can i argue? They know their racing!

Reckon it will do better overall than Forza 5, more time to flesh it out and improve on it.
 

derFeef

Member
Well if italians think its a 9/10 then how can i argue? They know their racing!

Reckon it will do better overall than Forza 5, more time to flesh it out and improve on it.

Pfff, they are just charmed because game takes place in Italy.
But then it takes place in France as well. Hey Italians, french wine is muuuuch better! *runs away*
 
Saving Content - 5/5

I can’t recommend Forza Horizon 2 hard enough. If I could give it a 6/5 I would, it’s stunning to look at, the controls are tight, the sounds are soothing, and is just all around fun to play; it just hit all my happy spots. I’d have to say that this is my favorite game to date on the Xbox One. Is this worth your hard earned $60, yes it is. Oh my goodness, yes it is.

http://www.savingcontent.com/2014/09/25/forza-horizon-2-review/
 

strata8

Member
Great first review, predicting a metacritic score of 86 for this. Wouldn't be surprised if it goes even lower, festival theme might not appeal to most.

It's waaayyyy toned down from the original Horizon which sits at 85 on Metacritic.

I'm going to say 88-89, around there. Not expecting into the 90s.
 

iludart

Neo Member
I thought the embargo lifts in friday. Is it friday already in Italy? Oh my, i should go and live there :)

Edit: I'm calling it 89.
 

Warablo

Member
Neither'll be worth a damn once we're done with their vineyards.

Seriously, I was watching racing in Germany the other morning and it was just like Forza Horizon almost. Crashes into the vineyards and such. It was cool and crazy.
 

Rosur

Member
Polygon can be all over the place compared to the concensus(not that I have a problem with that, unlike many), so are pretty much unpredictable.

Polygons' scores don't mean much to me because of this and it seems they use the score to get extra hits as well.
 

Seanspeed

Banned
Polygons' scores don't mean much to me because of this and it seems they use the score to get extra hits as well.
Maybe, I dunno. Either way, I never take any *one* review too seriously. Read a whole bunch and get a general picture of how most people are feeling.
 

lem0n

Member
Oh lawd, here come the reviews. This is when the hype train, for me, goes into overdrive. This is when you know the games just around the corner...
 
All the reviews should start going live any second now.
The demo was great, and I watched some streams. Im pumped for this game. I only have 10GB left so I need to look for a nice external hard drive soon.
 

McDougles

Member
One of my staffers wrote the review for GameSided, and gave it a 9/10.

GameSided said:
I had an absolutely fantastic time playing Forza Horizon 2. I really can’t reiterate that enough. Much to my surprise, it is so much more than just another racing game and will bring hours of competitive gaming. Forza Horizon 2 is a highly addicting adrenaline rush that never lets off the gas. It is a competitive and social stratosphere where you can constantly improve your skills, master new races, beat your friends, all while exploring the magnificent world that is Forza Horizon 2.
 

Welfare

Member
Can't let reviews push me. I need money for Sunset and Halo. SO and Halo. SO and Halo.

Horizon and SO and Halo
 
FIX THAT DAMN BANNER


also this will probably be one of the games I get when I buy my Xbone (the other two being Sunset Overdrive and the MCC)
 
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