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While many of the games at the X06 show floor felt ready for release or fairly close, there was one anticipated game that might have been too early to show: Forza Motorsport 2.
According to Peter Moore at the X06 press conference on Wednesday the final game will run at 60 frames per second. Unfortunately, the 60% complete version we got to play at X06 only hovered around the 20 FPS mark - far below the blinding-speed level we'd expect from the final. We don’t say this often, but Microsoft might have been better off showing a real-time trailer instead of having the game playable at X06.
Mind you, we can certainly see the potential. The graphics look HD-quality and the surround sound effects are already impressive (and change based on your camera view). And thanks to an improved damage model, any car parts you lose after a nasty crash remain where they land at the sides of the track. The demo we played offered an experience that was similar to if not an improvement over the original Forza in every way... except frame rate.
After more arcade oriented racers like PGR3, Test Drive Unlimited and the freshly confirmed PGR4, Microsoft needs a simulation racer that lives up to the demands of an eager fanbase. With more time in development, we certainly hope Forza 2 can deliver on its promise.
