Battlefield 2: Modern Combat Review (Xbox 360)

Title: Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
System: Xbox360, PS2, Xbox
Players: 1
ESRB: T

Summary:
Based on the blockbuster online multiplayer war Battlefield franchise, EA and developer Digital Illusions are taking the battle to another realm with a modern-war era edition somewhat similar to Battlefield 2 for PCs but developed exclusively for console gamers. Players from the United States, China and the Middle East Coalition will all be represented in harrowing 24-player battles. Command tanks, choppers and any other of more than 30 military vehicles, and make use of more than 70 kinds of weapons (including heat-seaking missles, laser designated bombs and other modern military hardware.)

Review:
While the game is a port from the PC version, which ported to PS2 and Xbox, is it really all that different? Answer is no, not really. I would say get the PC version, but I love my achievements and I love combat games, so I got this. Which I must say I do like the game, it is enjoyable, and at times does get frustrating. But still, I love it. I would buy it, but lets get an unbiased as we can.

Using the same content from the original current-gen versions, DICE has focused on improving four major areas: graphics, the immersive experience, cohesiveness, and the single-player game, and the results are mixed. For fans of the Xbox and PS2 versions, the subtle game alterations will be apparent. For casual observers, they’re almost non-existent. Visually, you should notice the enhancements over its current-gen brethren. Textures are sharp and crisp, even if the object wasn’t all that detailed in the beginning. Vehicle explosions prompt a physical dropping of the jaw, especially the booming destruction of the helicopter and tanks, each of which shower the landscape with burning shards of metal. Rag-doll physics are improved and little things such as dozens of arching bullet casings, or bullet-hole decals, will catch your eye. The framerate is relatively steady in both the offline and online experiences. And you may not know it, but all of the objects — from bridges, roads, radio towers, and buildings — received polygonal enhancements, along with remapped textures. You’ll notice the effects best on vehicles and buildings and less on the dull landscapes.

Character classes follow a distinct archetype style, so snipers will look distinctly different than say, engineers or riflemen. You’ll also see heat blurs, excellent long-range sniper views, good-looking smoke, mathematically proficient looking waves and water behavior, and a range of animations. The animations for all characters look distinctly better when up close than from a medium range. You’ll clearly see in both the single-player and online modes than once you’re about 40 feet away, character animations often drag or skate. Admittedly, this doesn’t ruin the game’s believability much, but it’s noticeable. The helicopter and tank animations, however, have improved. In short, M2: MC looks like an enhanced Xbox game. It’s good looking, but clearly not designed as an Xbox 360 game.

While the single player campaign has got some meat and does fantastic, the heart and soul of the game is in the online. EA has improved the servers, they aren’t laggy. They support up to 24 players, but I rarely encountered over 15, with Gears of War out as I was playing this the first time, just so lonely. But the game is great, I enjoy it. While if given the option, I would say go for the PC version, this version is able to stand firmly on its own.

6/10

Guitar Hero II Review (Xbox 360)

Title: Guitar Hero II
System: Xbox360, PS2, Xbox
Players: 2
ESRB: E

Summary:
RedOctane’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed rhythm game. Guitar Hero II features a brand-new and expanded track list, more venues and new play modes, and aims to rock longer and harder than its predecessor. RedOctane has once again teamed up with veteran music game developer Harmonix for the sequel, and is using famed recording studio WaveGroup for its music production, who also recorded the covers for the licensed tracks in the original Guitar Hero. The Xbox 360 version also adds 10 new songs, downloadable content features, leaderboards and online features, plus support for the Guitar Hero X-Plorer guitar controller.

Review:
If you have never played a Guitar Hero game, you have no idea what you are missing. Everything about the game rocks. The controller, the music, the presentation. Even if you own Guitar Hero II for the PS2, you still have reasons for the 360 version, new songs, downloadable content, achievements.

While this is the first time that the game has been ported to Microsofts console, the game is a huge hit on the PS2, and it is very easy to see why. The game is hard, depending on your skill level, you can adjust the difficulty of the game. Choose Rookie to Expert.

All of the music and fun of the PS2 version, has made it over to the 360, though it has gone through a little bit of a face lift, the game still rocks. Typically, ports of PS2 games don’t do well on the 360, the developers rarely do all the work required to make it work, rebuffing the graphics, add new features, luckily, Guitar Hero II does not fall into that trap. Textures, character models, everthing looks better, as an added bonus, it is even in HD!

New effects have been added, stage effects and lighting effects, which definately add to the feeling of being on stage rocking out, but some people do start to feel sick after a while, my sister did. But don’t let that throw you off, this game isn’t about the visuals, it is about the rocking sound track. While most of the music is done by a cover band, and you will notice, as a few songs sound off, it isn’t enough to make you upset and shut the game off.

One great new feature, is the multiplayer, you can now rock out with a buddy, one guitar and one bass. That definately adds to the playability of the game.

In closing, Guitar Hero II rocks, there isn’t much wrong with the game that I found, while a few features would have been nice, such as the ability to make your own song, or to import a song from a CD, hopefully with a new Guitar Hero that will happen, but for now, I am impressed with the way Guitar Hero II plays. 9/10

NHL 2K6 Review (Xbox 360_

Title: NHL 2k6
System: Xbox360, PS2, Xbox
Players: 2
ESRB: E

Summary:
NHL 2K6 continues its legacy on the ice with more control, more emotion and more detail than ever before. Take command of tape-to-tape passing, behind-the-net plays and precision give-and-go attacks. Dominate the ice with NHL caliber goaltending, skating, checking and puck handling with the deeply enhanced animation system.

Review:
NHL 2k6… I like hockey. I like the sport on TV, I like playing it in real life and video games. I have been playing a lot of NHL 08. So I decided to get this title in hopes it was similiar. But, it isn’t, you are lucky if it reminds you of Wayne Gretzkey 98 for the N64. Yes, the graphics and game play are that horrible.

The controls are clunky, the menus are poorly designed and the game is just boring. While it is more arcadey than EA’s take on it, but just doesn’t cut it. The ice looks good, it is shiney and reflective, looks like you’d expect ice to look like, too bad the same couldn’t be said for the character models on the ice… While the cutscenes, the players look good, there are odd reverse shadows, but the faces are more detailed and the clothings has great texture, just makes you sad that the actual game play graphics look like the 64 take.

One thing that I have heard, is that you need an HD tv that supports 720p. Or else the game looks the exact same as the xbox version. For those of you with your regular CRT TV’s, it is a huge difference that you will surely notice.

One neat aspect of the game that I did like, was that you could take over the goalie. But that got confusing, as the controls would reverse, and while you were trying to move right, your character was fish flopping out on the ice.

I did not like the game, and if this was the first Hockey game that I played, I can almost certainly say that I would never pick up another hockey game again.

I give NHL 2k6 a 1/10

Hitman: Blood Money Review (Xbox 360)

Title: Hitman: Blood Money
System: Xbox360
Players: 1
ESRB: M

Summary:
The fourth in the chilling Hitman series featuring the cold-blooded killer Agent 47. Finding that members of his contract agency, The ICA, are now being quietly (and mortally) eliminated, Agent 47 suspects a larger organization is moving in. Fearing he may be the next target, he heads to America. His jobs now will pay in straight-up cash — and how he spends the money will affect what weapons he has and what he does next. The developer added new gameplay systems, such as the concepts of notoriety and of blood money. The new Notoriety system means that anyone causing a bloodbath worthy of front page news is risking being recognised by civilians and guards in the future. Blood Money lets players spend their earnings on fully customisable precision weapons and specialist equipment, or they can buy additional information upon the targets and location at hand, to aid a successful and professional hit.

Review:
With the previous Hitman (Contracts) looming, and still haunting my memory. I decided to get Blood Money. To say the least, I wasn’t disappointed. The controls take a little getting used to, and the game requires patience. Both of which frustrated me at first, but once I got into it, it is really great.

There are several things IO improved upon, both from playability and performance. The results speak for themselves. The new notoriety systems works smoothly and the upgraded currency systems encourages wise spending. However, the newly added features, don’t alter the fundamental experience, so much more than Contracts. Fans of the series will notice the changes, but it is still the same as the previous games, which is good. IO built upon the game fundamentals, but still left 47’s core alone. It looks so much better on the 360 than other systems. Either way, it is well worth your money.

Story wise, the game is awesome. You are basically listening to an interview about 47, how the FBI or CIA almost catch him, and the reporter listening, and when they say, there was such and such case, queue the game play. You take over. Over the coarse of the game, you find that you are the only assassin left. You will want to watch all the cutscenes, as they reveal crutial information. The CG is refreashing and look drastically better than gameplay, the lighting and character models look phenominal.

There are many improvements, such as the 3 button system, where you can pick a lock, pick up a briefcase, and stow away a weapon at the same time. Which you will really appreciate in those tight situations. There are a few levels that you think would take 5-10 minutes, but because people move differently each time you replay it, it can take 20 minutes. All depends on your boldness and willingness to have the patience to get Silent Assassin.

One of my qualms about this game, is the difficulty. It is a hard game, even on rookie, where you have full agency support and no notoriety, the game still takes patience. I tried it on Expert, and if you follow to closely, you get peoples suspicions up. The AI in the game is incredibly intelligent. There are a few frustrations, such as if you are at a party and kill someone, only the local guards come, not a whole search party, and if you weren’t spotted, you can walk away pretty easily. The AI is also a lot more relaxed in some senses. You can walk up to a door with a guard, and he will put is hand up and warn you to back away, instead of just blasting you.

There are a few things, when you hid and go to snipe someone. You stand there and shoot, and instantly, your bar goes red, and everyone comes running, if your bar goes red, your best bet, is to restart the mission.

In closing, while the game looks incredible visually, the lighting, shadows, the textures. For those that are unsure, rent it. Give it a try, I can assure you that you will love it and go buy it, that is what I am going to do.

9/10

Far Cry Instincts Predator Review (Xbox 360)

Title: Far Cry Instincts Predator
System: Xbox360
Players: 1
ESRB: M

Summary:
You’re Jack Carver, stranded on a remote tropical island. A legion of elite mercenaries equipped with a military stockpile is rapidly closing in. Outmanned and outgunned, your survival won’t come easy. Only with skill, instincts and ingenuity can you conquer the enemy and make it out alive.

This Xbox 360 version of the hit shooter, features both Far Cry Instincts Next Chapter and an enhanced version of the original Far Cry Instincts game. Gamers will experience advanced pathfinding and new enemy and vehicle artificial intelligence for improved chase scenes and more enemies on-screen at one time, allowing for more adrenaline-rushing fast-action sequences.

Review:
Looking at the box the game looks cool, but that is about it. Far Cry is HORRIBLE. I got it to review, as I am posting it here, I played it for about 5 minutes then shut it off, I restarted to review it, but man, I tell you. It is hard to get into the game. Firstly the controls are clunky and the graphics, well. I have seen better on PS2.

The game is actually 2 games in one, the original Instincts from Xbox and an enhanced version with more maps. You have to play through one to unlock the other, That is if you can last that long. The controls are clunky, and slow to respond. Think Doom 64. Once you complete the horribly inadequate single player, you can move on to the Evolution, there you start with all your abilities, not having to earn them. Seeing the scents, ferel punch, insane jump.

I can’t really say much about the game, the graphics are horrible, the AI is stupid, but have amazing aim, there isn’t much to say. Just that I hated the game. I think this is the shortest review I have ever written. I will never get this game again, you can’t pay me enough to sit and try to play through the whole thing. I am sorry for all those that were looking for my usual lengthy reviews. I just can’t continue with this one.

1/10

Ninety-nine Nights Review (Xbox 360)

Title: Ninety-nine Nights
System: Xbox360
Players: 1
ESRB: 12+

Summary:
In Over G Fighters, a terrorist organization threatens the world’s peace and security as players take to the skies in a united world air force. Players command more than 30 of the most powerful jet fighters ever conceived and battle for air superiority in massive dogfights in the skies above Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Players combat enemies in the air and on the ground with challenging and dangerous strike missions against well defended targets deep in the heart of hostile territory.

Review:
Ninety-nine Nights…

If you have played Dynasty Warriors, you have played this game. It is the typical hack and slash title. While it has some things over dynasty warriors, such as the field of view is a lot larger. It still has the same feel, the same stories, the same characters, the same combos, the same million baddies on the screen. So really, why bother?

Well, if you can get past the Dynasty Warriors copy, there is a lot to the game, such as leveling up your character, and that the game doesn’t freeze when there are more than 3 people on the screen. The story is about a war between humans and goblins, and it is told between the 7 characters. But don’t get your hopes up, it seems to be a LOTR clone and like the story was placed as an after thought. Not to mention, depending on what your character does during the game determins the outcome, completely smashing an story you have put together.

During the loading screens, you are shown some combos that the character you chose is capable of, however, this is a button masher, you will be pushing X and Y, there is a block button, but I beat 2 characters stories before I figured that out, mostly you will use it to center your character, or swing the camera around. One thing that is interesting, is the orbs, each enemy that you kill gives you one red orb, and when that fills up, you can do a pretty amazing attack, during that charged attack, your enemy will drop a blue orb, and that will charge a different meter. That is even better depending on your character. The only drawback that I have, is that it doesn’t evolve as your character levels up.

The beginning you can only choose one character. Inphyy, once you beat her story, you unlock her brother and a mercenary, these 3 are commanders. They lead squadrons into battle, but don’t get your hopes up, they are useless, most of the time you order them to stand in one spot while you do all the slaying. All you can tell them to do is to follow you or to stand still. The best to choose is the Archers, they stand a distance back and don’t get themselves killed. The remaining characters that you unlock, aren’t cursed like this. They are solitary. You can concentrate on yourself, which is mostly what you will be doing the entire game anyway.

Most of the guards become a hinderance, they don’t do any damage to the enemy, but can cause them not to be hurt by your attack. Protect your guards while eliminating the baddies. While that does sound fun, it is more of a headache.

The only items that you can store are those that can be equipped. If you’ve got a full health bar and find a HP restore potion, it will be wasted since they disappear a short while after being exposed. This, combined with the fact that you can’t save midway through a mission, means you’ll often wind up coming to the final boss without much in the HP gauge. The only solution is to go off in search of chests you may not have broken open yet in hopes of finding something to restore your health. It’s slow and tedious, but you’ll wind up doing it so that you don’t die and lose all of the experience you’ve gained.

The characters can get to level 7 pretty fast, though they cap out at level 9, if you get all the characters maxed, that is an achievement, while there are only 10 achievements in the game, they can be pretty challenging to get. But it does add fun to the game for those of you that HAVE to have the achievements.

Ninety-Nine Nights has struggled to find an identity since it was first revealed in trailer form. Unfortunately, it appears that it never decided on one. The first half of the game plays like the team was looking at adding some strategic elements, but the second half is pure action. Through it all, you have an attempt to cover up some of the shallowest gameplay around with slick animations and a weak story. The final product isn’t terrible, but it’s hardly memorable. I give it a 7/10

Over G Fighters Review (Xbox 360)

Title: Over G Fighters
System: Xbox360
Players: 1
ESRB: RP

Summary:
In Over G Fighters, a terrorist organization threatens the world’s peace and security as players take to the skies in a united world air force. Players command more than 30 of the most powerful jet fighters ever conceived and battle for air superiority in massive dogfights in the skies above Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Players combat enemies in the air and on the ground with challenging and dangerous strike missions against well defended targets deep in the heart of hostile territory.

Review:
Over G Fighters is the second plane game for the 360, the first being Blazing Angels, with the power and capabilities of the 360, this game is really a let down.

For those of you that have played Top Gun on the NES and still remember it, will find many similiarities. One for instance, is the lumbering controls that you are faced with. You cannot roll the plane, you can turn it 45 degrees at most. The sense of speed is lacking, there are no afterburners, and the screen dims if you turn too hard. While for some may like it, it is no Ace Combat, if that is what you are wanting, this isn’t the title that you want.

While there are some good with this title, such as the achievements, they are really easy to get. It is very life like, this is more like a simulator than a combat flight game. You can choose the load out of your plane for the mission that you are going on. While that has its advantages, most often you just go with the default.

The controls seem dead in your hand, the more you try to turn, the less the plane turns, instead of an elite combat jet, it is more like a brick with wings. While there are a whole plethora of planes for you to choose from, the flight mechanics and everything else remain the same. Instead if being in the world and moving around it like in Ace Combat, you are stationary and the world moves around you.

But to be honest, this game is bad, so bad in fact I don’t know whatelse to bash about it. I couldn’t even get past the second level on the game. I normally complete a game, no matter how bad it is. But with this one, I couldn’t punish myself anymore. I was making excuses not to play it. How often to you find reasons *NOT* to play video games?

I give Over G Fighters a 1/10

Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 Review (Xbox360)

Title: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2
System: Xbox360, PC, PS3, PSP
Players: 1
ESRB: T

Summary:
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 builds off of the events in the first game and places gamers in control of the U.S. military’s elite fighting unit, the Ghosts. In the year 2014, the rising conflict between Mexican loyalists and insurgent rebel forces has thrown Mexico into full-scale civil war. Under the command of Captain Scott Mitchell, the Ghosts are called upon to face an imminent threat to the United States. The fate of two countries now lies in the hands of the Ghosts as they fend off an attack on U.S. soil. Equipped with the most cutting-edge weaponry and technology, the Ghosts must battle on both sides of the border to neutralize the escalating rebel threat.

Review:
Last year, with the first GRAW, the game play was awesome but had its flaws. This years game builds upon that, and is more highly polished. After looking at screencaps and game movies, you have to ask yourself, what is stopping you from buying it? Really!

The game starts off slow, you go through the tutorial, with the Gears of War style camera, over the shoulder. The gameplay is fasted paced when it gets going. The first part of the tutorial get you used to the controls, game mechanics and leading your team. My one big complaint about GRAW 2 was that it is easy. I usually start all games on easy, just to get the hang of it before moving to higher difficulties, but this one, Easy is more like cakewalk. The AI is stupid, they hid out in the open or in windows, their aim is horrible and you could be standing right in front of them and not get hit. So I restarted and put it on the insane difficulty, that has to be more challenging right? Nope. It was still easy. The AI is a little smarter, but there are still things to be said about their choice of hiding places, their aim is better, but still not great.

The achievements in the game are easy to get. Play the game on insane and get the achievements for easy and medium. Then with the quick mission, allowing you to replay levels, you can get achievements… almost handed to you. On easy, with the first mission, your teammate, select the marksman, and go through the whole level, you are up front, finding baddies, have the marksman snipe them. At the end, if done right, you get 3 achievements. Ironman for not getting shot, Team ‘ELITE’ for them getting 50%+ kills and not getting wounded and Predator for starting all the battles. I do wish that Ubisoft would work on the game and make it more challenging. Perhaps in GRAW 3?

While don’t get me wrong, GRAW2 is a nice game, not the graphical marvel that was the first one, but still many small steps and tweaks. Such as the cross-cam, allowing you to see through the eyes of your teammates and or support vehicles, and being able to switch sides for southpaw support. As usual with all Ghost Recon titles, there are the different difficulty levels and shouldn’t take more than 12 hours to complete, if you are one to frequent Xbox Live, then you would want to play it on hard, otherwise it would be to easy, on an already too easy of a game.

For those of you with a gold account, playing online is where most of the meat of the game is. The single player campaign is short and easy, but the online co-op will give you a run for the money, although I can’t really speak because I don’t have a gold account, I am repeating what I have heard others talk about the game.

In closing, the ease of the game is a little disappointing, but there is plenty to do in the game and plenty of replay value, as with most shooters. I wouldn’t say this is a perfect game, but a great one nonetheless. 8/10

F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault and Recon) (Xbox 360)

Title: F.E.A.R
System: Xbox360, PC, PS3
Players: 1
ESRB: M

Summary:
F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault and Recon) is a first-person close-quarters combat game for the PC. The story begins when a paramilitary force infiltrates a multi-billion dollar aerospace compound, and the government responds by sending in Special Forces. The group loses contact with the government when an eerie signal interrupts radio communications–and when that interference subsides moments later, the team has been destroyed. That’s where you come in. As part of a classified strike team created to deal with threats no one else can handle, your mission is simple: eliminate the intruders at any cost, determine the origin of the signal, and contain the potential crisis before it gets out of control.

Review:
Last year, Monolith developed a love it or leave it title by tht name of Condemned. It was a 360 launch title, while there were many faults, the game was creapy. Now a year later, we have in our hands F.E.A.R. This game is definately spooky, with many things popping up and intense combat on top of some actually intelligent AI. This has an excellent atmosphere and the fast-paced combat gives shooter fans the chance to experience one Hades of a game.

FEAR starts off simple enough. You are a new recruit in the First Encounter Assault Recon, you are sent to investigate paranormal activities. This man, Paxton Fettel, think Hannibal Lector, is your current target. With your off the chart relfexes giving you the ability for some SlowMo bullet time. Although, you are often sent in alone because of your supernatural abilities. Often times during the game, you will have visions, often set on by Paxton, or this girl that is always accompained with fire. As in case with these style of games, things don’t go smoothly, there are many turn of events that you have to put a stop too, leading you on one Hades of a paranormal journey.

While the story of FEAR itself isn’t all that great, the way it is delivered is exciting, yet at times frustrating. Most often, your way of learning more about the story, is searching buildings for clues and brief cutscenes. Most often times they are blinking phones with a voicemail, or the occasional computer. Getting to these will fill you in on some details, but it is compeletly auditory and leaves you with more questions. Although, the game itself isn’t about the story, with such a cheap acronym staring you in the face, you should be expecting as much. It is more a combination of three factors; puzzle, combat, and scarey sequences. The puzzles seem to be more like intermitten breaks between the intense action so you don’t go crazy. However, the scare sequences and the action can compete with the best of them.

One strength that FEAR undeniabley possesses is the genuinity of the scare factor of the game. Something that you don’t come across very often in “survival horror” games. No matter the scare tactic; the sudden image, dismembering of unfortunate souls, flickering of the lights to mess with you, or to have the person vanish infront of your eyes. The sound and the graphics of the game work amazingly well together. My advice to you; play while it is dark, turn the lights off, turn up the sound and you’ll see what I mean. The use and non-use of lights, the sounds, they all keep you wondering what is just coming up. The intesity of all these combined have you so deeply engrossed in the game that when the scare does come, it really hits home.

The fantastic AI in this game is intense, they duck and cover, the come in squads, they react to their surroundings, they run away from grenades, your actions all add to the game. They will advance when you are reloading, knock things over for cover, hiding and waiting. Kill a few and sit and wait, they fall back to the shadows and wait for backup before advancing. Best bet is to have your SlowMo guage full and rush them. Kill them all while they can’t react to you. But becareful, waiting in the shadows for your gauge to fill and you will find a grenade at your feet, but rush them with out the SlowMo and you will find a hail of bullets coming your way. I suppose it all comes down to the enemies feeling real and not following a previous program that so often haunts other games.

The AI provides for intense combat and will have you really liking your SlowMo, on top you are given a nice selection of weaponry to choose from, the shotgun is my favorite, every so often causing a nice explosion of a bloody mess. Although one thing can be said about all the weapons, all result in a bloody gorey mess. However, one draw back that I can really think of, is the repetative scenery, room after room is dimly lit with flashing lights in spots and they are almost always sewers, office spaces, or construction zones. Although, the game can be beaten fairly fast, so there isn’t a whole lot of complaining about repetative-ness.

Overall, while the game does have its draw backs, however, it is a great play and well worth the time and money for it, I recommend this one. 8/10

Forza Motorsports 2 Review (Xbox 360)

Title: Forza Motorsports 2
System: Xbox360.
Players: 1
ESRB: E

Summary:
Forza 2 includes everything from Corvettes to Lamborghinis and includes many of the favorite features from the Xbox version of the game. However, the jump to 360 has also brought a few changes. The racing assists have been upgraded, the line that guides players along the sweet spot of the track dynamically changes color from green to red to show drivers when to break and accelerate, and the physics engine from the first game has also been rebuilt boasting about 360 calculations per second that contribute to exactly how the car reacts to the road.

Review:
Forza 2, while never having played the first one, I have heard a lot of good things about the game, and people always told me, it is no Project Gotham. Everyone wants different things from their racing games. Project Gotham has sleek looks, great graphics and the cars all handle well. Burnout has the arcade style, super speed that every racer must have. The way people were talking, Forza 2 was all three of these games rolled into one. Sadly, they are mistaken. Forza 2 does bolster a nice frame rate, and the cars look beautiful, but the way the glare shines off the car, it is disappointing, it is jagged, as well as the graphics on the horizon. It seems that they spent all their time getting the cars to look nice.

While in Forza 2, there are the typical race modes; Exhibition, Career and Arcade, as well as Time Trial. Career is your best bet if you don’t have Xbox Live. The indepth customability of the cars is phenominal. Unlike other games that boast customability, Forza 2 delivers. All you gear heads out there are sure to love this game. While, like any other game, it does have its faults. For one, the controls, they seem stiff and overly sensitive. The first time I drifted in the game, I lost control and crashed, I wish they would have worked on that a little. As well as showing speed, going 200 miles per hour down the straight away, certainly doesn’t feel like it.

Most of your time spent, if you don’t have Xbox Live, will be in the Career mode, while the other options are nice, all they really are is a trimmed down Career mode, nothing really special that they offer. While the game play is very realistic and you can tune the cars to your needs, and can turn the brake assist off, or the traction control. All of those seem like needless fluff when compared to the flaws of the game. It seems that it was added on later to make up for aspects the game is lacking.

All the tracks are based on real life tracks, however, they seem to be lacking in color, they seem flat and dull. On top of that, the tracks are almost indenticle, with the occasional reversed track, or different paths, it gets really boring after 5 or 6 races. The AI in the game is another thing that could have been worked on, they all have stock cars. You start out with a low ranked car and are always in the back of the pack, but as soon as you get enough cash to upgrade your car, you are starting first, and finishing first. It really isn’t a challenge, even on hard with all the assists turned off, once you get used to when to brake and how much to apply, the races are a breeze. It is so fun having a Toyota Supra that can beat out a Ferrari.

Along with the stiff controls and the lacking AI, one more fault with the game is the penalties. You go off the track, it adds time to your lap, you hit another car (or they hit you) you get cash taken off of the prize money. That is to be expected with a race game, but don’t make it so easy to have things deducted. While Forza 2 has a lot to offer, such as interesting Achievements, there are so many things lacking, interesting tracks, smooth controls, challenging AI, so many things that I hope Forza 3 will address, because until then, I am going to stick with Gran Turismo or PGR3.

But I think my main problem with this game, is all the hype, the way people kept talking about the game I got my hopes up, and unfortunately for me, the game didn’t deliver. While there is a lot to offer and is fun, it isn’t as fun as PGR3. I would rather play that over Forza 2 anyday. But don’t get me wrong, Forza 2 is special in its own way.

In closing, there are too many short comings that I feel hinder the game from getting an 10, or even an 8 for that matter. The game is still fun and has a lot to offer. Forza Motorsports 2 gets a 7/10