Forza Motorsport 5

$60, Xbox One

Teaches: sports, driving, automotive engineering

CTR Rating: 94%

CTR Review

11/30/2015 See Forza Motorsport 6. Like the cars it lets you drive, Forza Motorsport 5 is an elegant mix of power and beauty. A launch title for Xbox One, this racing simulator has some especially noteworthy features; some unique to racing games in general. The final verdict? It's a thrilling and amazing game, with a 9.8/10. Strengths are the exciting racing and amazingly clear graphics. Weaknesses are the need for an Internet connection and a slow loading time. Instead of racing against computer controlled opponents, you race against "Drivatars" that represent the skill sets of other real human players. So after you finish a race, your behaviors might show up on a racetrack in someone else's living room. This cloud computing feature is part of the DNA of the new Xbox One, but it requires that you register and have an active Internet connection. The cars are amazing, both in the way they look and the way they run. It is also possible to customize decals and paint jobs. It is easy to download and drive other cars; or upload cars and have them rated by the Forza community. You can set your Drivatar difficulty from new driver to extreme expert; harder levels earning more money, which can be used for such things as a new transmission, better steering, wheels and so on. So, how does Forza Motorsport 5 compare to Gran Turismo? We found the cars easier to upgrade and drive, and the sharp 1080p/60 fps graphics are the best we've seen. Our only gripe is the very long load time. The bottom line? If you have an Xbox One, get Forza Motorsport 5. They're made for one another.