Forza Horizon 3 – Review Roundup

Forza Horizon 3 has officially released, and racing fans are dying to get their hands on the heavily-anticipated multiplayer racing game.

While the game’s trailer and E3 demo teased captivating gameplay and interesting features, let’s see how the game held up against the online critics:

Destructoid – 9/10

“Playground Games’ take on Australia falls right in line. It’s not quite the leap that the franchise made from the original Horizon to Horizon 2, but it’s not on cruise control, either.

There’s enough variation here — from the feel of cars to the game modes to the radio stations — that this is another excellent installment in an always-excellent series.

And, since variation is a key reason for Horizon 3’s success, well, Australia seems like it’s probably the most perfectly appropriate setting.”

Gamespot – 9/10

“With Forza Horizon 3, Turn 10 and Playground Games affirm the series’ status as the driving game for everyone. The new emphasis on off-road options isn’t at the expense of traditional races, thanks to the sheer volume of activities.

All the while, Playground Games’ calculated kitchen-sink design philosophy and rich reward system persistently tempt you to explore beyond your comfort zone, whether it’s gifting your first Ariel Nomad buggy or reminding you that stunt races can impress thousands of fans.

Enhancing your own brand might feel like a strange motivation to hit the road, but pulling off sick e-drifts on a mile-long series of curves makes the PR work worthwhile.”

IGN – 9.5/10

“Forza Horizon 3 is a masterclass in open-world racing and bigger and better than its excellent predecessor across the board.

It looks fantastic, the car selection and customisation is second to none, and the size and variety of the sprawling Australian outback is magnificent. Above all, Horizon 3 never loses sight of the fact that tearing through postcard-perfect locations should be fun, and it puts the tools in our hands to keep it that way, always.

This is the racing game I’ve been waiting for, and it’s officially my favourite thing on four wheels. A fair dinkum triumph, mates.”

Polygon – 8.5/10

“Forza Horizon 3 is as much a driving game as a racing game.

Through a superbly realized version of Australia as well as a wide variety of terrain, cars and challenges, this free-roaming car simulation offers a valuable playbox. But it also managed to muster “cor blimey” moments that made me feel a whooping rush of speed and liberation.”

GamesRadar – 4/5

“Forza Horizon 3 is a very high quality video game, with a multitude of amazing features, great visuals, a stonking soundtrack, exemplary online integration, insane speed (at times) and solid handling.

You won’t need to think much while you play it, but if you’re talking about places to just cut loose and enjoy the breathtaking scenery, Australia is a fine place to do it.”

Shacknews – 9/10

“After playing every game in the Forza series, I can say without any hesitation that this is, by far, the best Forza game to date.

The open-world driving mechanics are seamless, the amount of content is vast, and the social game modes deliver the most variety the series has ever seen.

While previous iterations from the Forza Horizon series were used to first introduce and fine tune the open-world mechanic, Forza Horizon 3 feels like the series grand crescendo as all of that work has lead up to the best Forza game I’ve ever played.

I already was a big fan of the Forza series, but Forza Horizon 3 is beyond anything I could have ever imagined for the series and I can’t wait to discover more of its beautiful world.”