When it comes to racing games, it’s sometimes difficult for me to tell them apart because they just mesh together.  “Forza Horizon 3” is very close to the exception I was hoping for, however it’s not a shameless generic cash grab like it could have been. It was so close to being a completely fresh racing experience and it’s evident that the developers tried to sneak in hints of new content. “Forza Horizon 3” was released for Xbox One, Playstation 4 and PC on Sept. 27 2016.  

The gameplay is pretty much exactly what you would expect from a racing game. Most of the game is driving around the map and participating in races to win money. “Forza Horizon 3” greatly increases the size of the world map by giving you a large semi fictional chunk of Australia’s coast line.  The main storyline is pretty par for the course.  Like the rest of the genre, the story in “Forza Horizon 3” revolves around your rise to popularity and your reputation.  You raise your public image by performing PR stunts and competing in a multitude of races.  If you choose ignore the main story there are still several things to keep you busy.  One of my favorite parts of the game was being able to just drive around the map at 80 mph.  Another great aspect of the game was customizing the different cars. There are tons of car brands to choose from and once you buy a car you can customize it to your liking. The expansive upgrades paired with leveling up gives you a strong sense of improvement and progression throughout the game. However it can get a bit repetitive because you are restricted to a car. This limits how creative the developers could get with quests.  

“Forza Horizon 3” boasts pretty visuals and provides a multitude of different environments to explore. The game takes you through gorgeous beaches, vast countrysides and bustling cities.  While the game does look good, the graphics are nothing too special and don’t really push the hardware to its limit. The game runs smoothly and I don’t recall the game ever slowing down. If the game’s frame rate dropped, it’s not noticeable. “Forza Horizon 3”, like many other games, goes for a realistic look and pulls it off pretty well. The different lighting and weather effects, as well as the day and night cycle, make this semi-fictional Australia feel alive.

“Forza Horizon 3” really did impress me. It took what could’ve been another generic racing game and added new, different elements to make a more interesting game. They took a risk, but it worked and payed off in the end. I’m normally not a huge fan of racing games, but “Forza Horizon 3” really was fun. I would recommend everyone try this game, even if it doesn’t really appeal to you. Just driving around and exploring the map while ignoring objectives is enjoyable. “Forza Horizon 3” is a worthwhile experience that surpasses other games of its kind.