When driving becomes (almost) secondary - Toronto Sun

LONDON - 

The sound of the car resonates loudly; the driver is waiting impatiently for the green light and bolts, leaving behind a trail of smoke before making the first turns of the circuit. But a pilot error causes the car to go off the road. Not a problem, since it is Forza Motorsport 4 on Xbox, the player just has to push a button, rewind just before the moment he messed-up, and restart.

This feature is also found on the Forza 3, but the latest version of the franchise, which will be available on October 12 in America and two days later in the rest of the world, has many innovations that the latest version did not have.

Thus, the compatibility with Microsoft Kinect, a motion sensor that lets you play without a controller, adds a whole new dimension to Forza 4. In fact, the new racing game becomes more of a means of learning and fun than simply driving.

Upon the unveiling of the final details, where a handful of journalists from the four corners of the world, the spokesman for Turn 10, the game design company, Brian Ekberg, explained the new issues: expand the amateur client/customer base for video games of this genre, and to offer an interactive experience unparalleled to date while allowing gamers to learn about cars.

To do this, Turn 10 has partnered with the famous British show Top Gear and the star host Jeremy Clarkson that offers his own comments and descriptions on some cars.

And because Top Gear is what it is, we inserted the private circuit from the show in the list, but we also added some of the challenges proposed by Clarkson and his team, including Car Soccer and Car Bowling, two functions available against other players online.

But Kinect can push the experience even further, thanks to its function Autovisa, which allows you to admire some exotic cars as if they were right next to you. In fact, technology is so precise that the player can be as close as approximately 15 inches from the car. He may also open the doors, sit inside, start the engine, or admire the engine under the hood.

"We put great care to improve the graphics, including using more natural light and a greater amount of detail. We also proceeded individually with each of the sound recordings, to make the experience even more realistic, "said Mr Ekberg.

This same recognition feature from Kinect will also apply to the conduct mode, allowing the pilot to turn his head, as if he was really sitting inside, making the experience even more realistic.

We also worked with Pirelli, who provided all the data for the entire line of tires. Forza 4 cars are equipped with four tires that react with almost the same flexibility and temperature as the actual tire.

Community

But Forza 4 has also kept the community that allowed it to stand out from its competitors. With this new version, it is now possible to join a car club, allowing you to share your collection with other club members.

You can also challenge the other players, since the race can be recorded. The player can try to beat the time logged from a friend, or another member of the club.

Real or virtual

To convince us of the new reality of Forza 4, Xbox has allowed some journalists to try the game in the same studio where the show Top Gear is filmed – and then, to test the same car, right on the track. Many have chosen to be the Stig in the game, the secret driver of the show, but without success.

A short word about the interface of Forza 4, which is practically identical to that of his predecessor, save for a few details.

A note also on the new steering wheel, the wireless wheel, which will be launched at the same time as the Forza 4, and which combines driving and regular controller.

Sensitive, easy to use, it permits the player to log the best times at the wheel of the Kia C'eed virtual. Too bad we couldn't bring it on the real track.