Physics: For anyone worried about the physics being changed for Forza Horizon, I am happy to say it has not been changed and it feels exactly the same as 4. The thing to consider here is that there at 65 surface types here, so getting used to those is the challenge. I was able to kick out generally whatever car I was driving (including the VW Corrado I was driving for some time) with ease, and, it was tons of fun. The cars feel very true. Dan Greenawalt made the distinction that they know cars handle different, and, that’s the problem with other titles; there are considerable differences between a 1965 Mustang and a 1969 Camaro (I’m not saying either of these cars are in it, I didn’t check, just examples!) and therefore they should drive differently. Every car I drove in Forza Horizon drove differently, were weighted differently and it made it a unique experience per vehicle. To anyone worried about the physics; don’t. It’s a solid game with a solid physics engine to back it up.

Map: The overall size of the map is HUGE. I drove in a total of 4 races (2 Waypoint, 1 Canyon, 1 Offroad) but spent a solid 45 minutes just exploring the map. There’s something really satisfying about taking your mildly upgraded Subaru STI onto the freeway and letting it all out. It’s that thought of, wait, this is Forza and I’m on the freeway! Or I’m in the canyons! Or I’m in a golf course and I just shot myself out of the sandtrap! It’s really cool, and, I can’t wait to get a copy of my own. It’s really easily to get lost in just driving around.

Upgrades/Paint: As you can see above, I bought an STI for an offroad race. All of the basics upgrade options were there, (I couldn’t tell you if the RWD swap was there, I did not check) but, with the very exciting addition of matte as a paint option. In fact, I went to paint first and checked my options. There’s a solid hole in the ceiling from my head colliding with it when I jumped from my chair when I saw matte as an option. Vinyl groups are also transferable.

Car Selection: It’s definitely a more solid collection of cars you’d want to take out on the freeway and lose your license with! If I lost my license doing 100+ in the Element I’d be really sad. Cool? Not really. If I was doing it in a Aventador? Oh yeah, all in. But I better be doing 200+.

Overall Impression: It is another phenomenal installment from the Forza brand. No one has ever done this style game as well as Forza Horizon has. It has accomplished what no open world game has done before; solid physics, experience, soundtrack and car list. It’s going to be one hell of a time and I can put my seal of approval on it; you will love the crap out of Forza Horizon!