Other than doing a bit of researching and Googling (and vLoging), I’ve had a weekend off from the computer really. I thought as I’ve not worked out properly what I want to do for DMD or FMP (and not OK’d one idea..) I don’t wanna push myself all that much just yet until I know where I’m going. So, instead I’ve had a night out and pwnd it up on the Forza Motorsport 3 demo!

I’m currently in the top 1% of the WORLD with all the cars in the demo. I just can’t find them two extra bloody seconds to get higher than 1000th-ish from 1st. A bit of fail, but it’s a challenge, and I like challenges when they have virtual V8 engines. Overall though, the demo is amazing and I want the full game asap! The dynamics of the game have changed so much it’s untrue. In general most of it is the same but the new tire simulation and the added graphics add so much to the gameplay. Also, which shocked me when I first loaded up the game, is the MANUAL clutch option. As with all racing/simulation games I play, I instantly put all the options onto the hardest difficulty. In FM3, it’s “Expert” which entails: Autobrake OFF, Anti-Lock Brakes OFF, Stability Control OFF, Traction Control OFF, Shifting Manual w/clutch, Suggested Line OFF, Opponent Difficulty HARD and Damage Fuel and Tire Ware SIMULATION. I hate the assists, you want to power around a corner, something will hold you back which that really gets on my tits. Plus, I’ve always found if you slap it into the hardest settings, when it comes to racing online where the host can limit what is and isn’t on (IE, the host could potentially lock all the assists off like on Expert level) if I had been racing the whole time with some or all of them assists on, I would be proper screwed trying to race with them off. So playing hard means life could be easier when it comes to that sort of crossroad. Anyway, driving with the manual clutch adds so much to the game, shift times are faster or slower depending on how fast you are and also controlling the car is completely in your hands. If you were to couple FM3 with the new steering wheel that’s on the horizon, you would have everything baring G-Forces and fear in front of you to learn how to drive. As much fun it is driving with the manual clutch, using LB on the controller for the clutch is a bit poop when it comes to shifting down while braking. I can’t use my middle finger on LT to save my life, so trying to re-learn what I can do perfectly with my index finger all over again is not something I want to be doing. With the wheel, however, I would more than likely be on Expert 100% of the time. Other than that it’s Expert but with auto clutch.

The cars in the demo are rather varied and fun to drive. You have a John Cooper Works Mini, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10, Ferrari California, Audio R8 and a Porsche 911 GT3-RSR. A good variety of cars from various classes but no replay movie making, no setup tweaking or modification to the cars, which is a shame as them things are what makes Forza such a great sim, but it’s also only just a demo, so they would want to hold the juicy bits until you buy the end product.

Damage is fun! From the looks of it, not a whole lot more has been done to the damage engine since FM2. I know they go on about it loads when they talk about it, but in comparison to FM2 and FM3 it’s not a whole lot different visually baring you can now roll cars over! (See my video below.) Other than that, and yeah certain damage effects your car more realistically now, graphically its about the same. Which is far less than what the World has seen in one of the earlier trailer videos which showed a Ford GT40 being smashed to hell.

Overall tho, even in the demo the game has moved on considerably! I will definatly be getting this come release day – fingers crossed shops will have copies to sell by the time I get there, otherwise I will be seriously fu…