Video game review: 'Forza Motorsport 2,' Xbox 360

Game Title: Forza Motorsport 2

Platform: Xbox 360

Studio: Microsoft

Rating: E-for Everyone

Score: 9 out of 10

THE REVIEW

GAMEPLAY: Racing games range from the serious sim-style racer Gran Turismo 4 to the more arcade style Burnout. Games like Burnout are fun because it doesnt take a lot of thought to drive a car through a city and smash it into things. Whereas Gran Turismo 4 requires training, tweaking, and an understanding of racing angles, drag, etc. Forza 2 takes a little from both the sim and arcade style racers and mashes them together in one fantastically fun racing game.

One of the biggest bonuses of Forza 2 is the massive array of cars. Racing games can often be feast or famine when it comes to automotive selection. Thankfully, Forza 2 offers up more than 300 cars from over 50 of the worlds leading manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Nissan, Volkswagen, General Motors and Lamborghini, according to Microsoft. The amount of race tracks wont disappoint either. Microsoft says that there are 47 ribbons across 12 environments, including real-world licensed circuits such as Mugello, Suzuka and Sebring International Raceway. Tracks can range from different cars, classes, and so many other variations that it will keep boredom at bay.

Each car has a distinctive style of racing, handling, braking and so on. Each car is given a factory score in different categories such as horsepower, acceleration, braking, handling, etc. You can go stock or after winning some races you can purchase new parts and upgrade any of your cars. If you have a lightweight car that has poor handling you will find yourself sliding around the track; whereas, a heavier car like a 73 Dodge Charger will be fast but less nimble than, say, a Honda Civic. There is also a letter system for cars that dictates which race you enter. Along with the letter score there is a performance rating which gives you a good idea what you are up against in each race. An example would be if you were a letter B car with a performance rating of 550 and racing a letter B car with a performance rating of 586 youd know that car has a few things on you.