Forza Horizon 2

The positive aspects of the Story of Forza Horizon 2, as highlighted by some critics, include Gameplanet's opinion that the plot serves as a good justification for racing around Europe in fast cars. Impulsegamer also mentions that the story adds to the overall racing experience, indicating that there is some value in the narrative for enhancing the gameplay immersion. On the negative side, EGM criticizes the story mode for lacking compared to the original game, pointing out a mundane and soulless progression system that removes the charm and personality of the first game's nemeses. LevelUp echoes this sentiment by stating that the game lacks a strong narrative, focusing solely on the racing experience. Toronto Sun further criticizes the story as a shallow excuse to showcase a variety of vehicles, suggesting a lack of depth and meaningful storytelling. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of the Story of Forza Horizon 2. While some reviewers appreciate the narrative for enhancing the racing experience and providing a justification for the gameplay, others find it lacking in depth, character development, and overall engagement. The general sentiment suggests that the story may not be a standout feature of the game, with a focus more on the racing events, car catalogue, and gameplay mechanics, as noted by Multiplayer.it and Telegraph. The absence of a compelling narrative, as highlighted by EGM and Softpedia, seems to be a common point of critique among the reviewers, indicating a missed opportunity to elevate the overall storytelling aspect of the game.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the gameplay of Forza Horizon 2, highlighting its focus on driving style, diverse challenges, and customization options. Critics like COGconnected and Game Informer appreciated the variety of races on different terrains, unique car handling, and the inclusion of features like the Drivatars system and around 700 events to participate in. AusGamers and Gameplanet commended the game for combining hardcore sim elements with open-world arcade fun, offering a well-tailored experience for players of different driving levels. IGN also lauded the driving dynamics, mentioning the distinct feel of each car and the freedom to drive almost anywhere, showcasing a shift in the Horizon series. While the overall sentiment towards the gameplay of Forza Horizon 2 was overwhelmingly positive, some critics did point out a few drawbacks. Gamereactor Sweden mentioned issues with car handling and the lack of a vehicle selling feature, which may disappoint some players. Metro GameCentral highlighted the lack of variety in race types and track design as potential downsides, despite praising the game's mix of simulation and arcade racing. SpazioGames also noted that some repetitive tasks within the game could be seen as a drawback, indicating a need for more varied gameplay elements to keep players engaged in the long run. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Forza Horizon 2 delivers an exceptional gameplay experience that excels in offering a rich and immersive racing experience. Critics like Gamestyle and Pure Xbox praised the satisfying car handling, engaging challenges, and the vast open world that players can freely explore. The game strikes a balance between arcade-style fun and realistic driving mechanics, providing a near-perfect mixture of action, style, and speed, as mentioned by Digitally Downloaded. Despite minor criticisms, the majority of critics found Forza Horizon 2 to be a highly enjoyable and well-crafted racing game that caters to a wide range of players, solidifying its reputation as a standout title in the racing genre.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the graphics and visual design of Forza Horizon 2, highlighting its stunning visuals, detailed car models, and immersive environments. Critics like AusGamers, COGconnected, and Game Informer commended the game for its impressive graphics, mentioning dynamic weather effects, realistic reflections, and detailed landscapes that contribute to a visually appealing experience. EGM and God is a Geek specifically mentioned the attention to detail in the game's visuals, with EGM noting the authentic Western European vibe created by the well-crafted regions of Italy and France. The diverse range of tracks, challenges, and online features also added to the overall positive sentiment towards the game's graphics, as noted by Eurogamer Italy. On the flip side, some critics pointed out minor issues that detracted from the overall visual experience of Forza Horizon 2. Critics like Digitally Downloaded and SpazioGames mentioned that while the game was visually appealing, it did not surpass other titles in terms of graphical superiority. SpazioGames also highlighted shortcomings in building details and flat textures, which slightly hindered the overall visual immersion. Additionally, Softpedia noted that some tracks felt chaotic, impacting the overall visual coherence during gameplay. Despite these criticisms, the negative aspects were generally minor and did not significantly impact the overall positive reception of the game's graphics. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the graphics and visual design of Forza Horizon 2. The game was praised for its stunning visuals, attention to detail, dynamic weather effects, and immersive environments that created a visually impressive open-world racing experience. Critics like Gameplanet and GamingTrend highlighted the detailed car models and realistic environments that enhanced the overall visual appeal of the game. While some minor issues such as texture pop-ins and limited geographical diversity were mentioned by a few critics, the majority agreed that Forza Horizon 2 stands out as one of the best-looking racing games on the Xbox One, showcasing the technical prowess of the console and delivering a visually captivating experience for players.

The Sound Design and Music of Forza Horizon 2 have received generally positive feedback from critics. Several reviewers highlighted the diverse and immersive soundtrack that enhances the overall gaming experience. Critics like 3DJuegos, COGconnected, and Everyeye.it praised the game for its varied music genres that contribute to the racing atmosphere. IGN also commended the realistic engine sounds and environmental effects, such as the crunch of gravel beneath the tires, adding to the authenticity of the gameplay. Additionally, God is a Geek appreciated the choice of radio stations and DJs that create a care-free festival vibe, further immersing players in the game world. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks in the Sound Design and Music of Forza Horizon 2. Gaming Age and Giant Bomb mentioned issues with the music selection, with Gaming Age stating that the music choices were not enjoyable for the reviewer. Giant Bomb noted that the radio DJs could become repetitive, and the reviewer preferred the tunes in the previous game. The Digital Fix highlighted the limited number of tracks on radio stations as a drawback, stating that the music seemed to blend together, making it difficult to distinguish between stations. These criticisms suggest that while the game offers a diverse soundtrack, there may be room for improvement in terms of variety and DJ interactions. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Forza Horizon 2 excels in its Sound Design and Music aspects, with the positives outweighing the negatives. The game's realistic engine sounds, diverse music selection, and immersive atmosphere were widely praised by reviewers such as DarkStation, GamingTrend, and Impulsegamer. While some critics pointed out issues like repetitive radio DJs and limited track variety, the majority of opinions leaned towards the game's ability to enhance the racing experience through its sound design and music choices. Forza Horizon 2 seems to have successfully captured the essence of a high-speed, adrenaline-fueled racing game with its well-crafted audio elements, making it a standout title in the genre.

The voice acting in Forza Horizon 2 received mixed reviews from critics. Some positive aspects highlighted by reviewers include the introduction of a voice-controlled GPS system and interesting characters that enhance the immersive experience. Gamer.no appreciated the addition of the voice-controlled GPS system and mentioned that it added to the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, JeuxActu praised the clear and pleasant voice guidance provided by ANNA, the GPS system, which contributed to enhancing the gameplay experience for players. On the other hand, there were criticisms regarding the voice acting in Forza Horizon 2. Digital Trends criticized the forced use of a mute white guy protagonist, which may have detracted from the overall storytelling and character development in the game. Gamestyle specifically mentioned the "DUDE BRO" nature of the voice acting, indicating that some aspects of the voice performances may have come across as stereotypical or lacking depth. These criticisms suggest that the voice acting in the game may not have resonated with all players and could have been more nuanced or varied to cater to a wider audience. Overall, the consensus among critics seems to be that while the voice acting in Forza Horizon 2 had its strengths, such as the implementation of a voice-controlled GPS system and the performance of specific characters like ANNA, there were also notable weaknesses, including the portrayal of the protagonist and certain aspects of the voice acting that came across as cliché or lacking in depth. COGconnected described the voice acting as decent but not particularly memorable, indicating a somewhat lukewarm reception to the overall performances. In conclusion, while the voice acting contributed to the immersive experience for some critics, there is room for improvement in terms of character portrayals and diversity in performances to elevate the overall narrative and engagement for players.

In terms of the positives for the Xbox One version of Forza Horizon 2, critics like 3DJuegos, DarkStation, and Everyeye.it highlight the stable frame rates and smooth driving experience at 30fps and 1080p resolution. Game Revolution also praises the technical brilliance and seamless online integration of the game, while Gameplanet appreciates the dynamic day/night cycle and weather system that adds to the overall gameplay experience. On the flip side, some negatives mentioned by critics for the Xbox One version include minor texture pop-ins and brief loading pauses noted by COGconnected. Pure Xbox points out controversial aspects like the frame rate lock, occasional drops in frame rates, and issues with achievements and in-game GPS. IGN also mentions choppy shadows as a minor drawback to an otherwise smooth driving experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is generally positive for Forza Horizon 2 on Xbox One. The game is praised for its stable frame rates, immersive visuals, and smooth driving experience by a majority of reviewers like Digitally Downloaded, Eurogamer Italy, and Gaming Age. However, there are some criticisms regarding technical limitations, lack of polish, and minor issues affecting gameplay experience, as noted by SpazioGames and Pure Xbox. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment leans towards Forza Horizon 2 being a standout title for the Xbox One platform, offering an enjoyable racing experience with impressive visuals and solid performance.

The majority of the critics unanimously praised the replay value of Forza Horizon 2, highlighting various aspects that contribute to its high replayability. Critics like COGconnected, Gamer.no, and GamingTrend commended the game for offering a wide range of activities, races, challenges, and multiplayer options, ensuring that players remain engaged for hours on end. The game's extensive content, including hidden collectibles, vintage cars, special events, and online modes, was lauded by Digital Spy, Everyeye.it, and Eurogamer Portugal, emphasizing the depth and variety that adds to the replay value. Additionally, the customization options, exploration opportunities, and diverse gameplay modes mentioned by AusGamers, Impulsegamer, and Pure Xbox were noted as key strengths that enhance the overall replayability of the game. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks that could potentially impact the replay value of Forza Horizon 2. Metro GameCentral highlighted a lack of variety in race types and track design, which may lead to repetitive gameplay experiences for some players. VideoGamer mentioned that the game can feel repetitive at times, indicating a need for more diverse content to prevent monotony. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment from the critics suggests that the positives of the game far outweigh the negatives when it comes to replay value. In conclusion, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the replay value of Forza Horizon 2. With a plethora of activities, races, challenges, customization options, and online features, the game offers a robust and engaging experience that keeps players coming back for more. Critics like Gameplanet, God is a Geek, and IGN highlighted the game's depth, longevity, and the sheer amount of content available, solidifying its status as a highly replayable title. While some critics noted minor issues such as repetitive gameplay elements, the general consensus is that Forza Horizon 2 excels in providing an immersive and enjoyable racing experience with substantial replay value.