The first forza- game deep dive

Let's rev up the engines and take a nostalgic pit stop back to the early 2000s when the very first "Forza Motorsport" hit the scene. Buckle up, folks, because we're about to explore the roots of this iconic racing franchise.

Released in 2005, "Forza Motorsport" was like the new kid on the block, trying to challenge the established racing game giants. It had all the aspirations of being a true contender, but let's not put on those rose-tinted glasses just yet.

Graphically, "Forza" was impressive for its time, showcasing the Xbox's graphical capabilities. The cars were detailed, the tracks looked authentic, and the whole game had a sheen of modernity. But hey, it's 2005, and we were all still marveling at the leap from pixelated sprites to 3D models.

Where "Forza" aimed to shine was in its simulation of real-world racing. It tried to be the thinking racer's game, catering to car enthusiasts who knew their torque from their horsepower. The physics were decent, and the car customization options were more detailed than you could shake a wrench at. However, it often felt like "Forza" was trying a bit too hard to be a gearhead's dream, leaving some players feeling like they needed a mechanical engineering degree to fully enjoy it.

The soundtrack, if you could even call it that, was a forgettable mix of generic background tunes. But hey, who needs music when you're racing at breakneck speeds, right? Well, most other racing games of the time did, actually.

One of the major drawbacks was the lack of variety in tracks and cars. "Forza" couldn't quite match the roster of its competitors like the "Gran Turismo" series in terms of sheer numbers. It's like showing up to a car show with only a handful of models to display.

So, should you fire up the original "Forza Motorsport" in 2023? Well, if you're feeling nostalgic and want to see where this iconic franchise started, sure, give it a spin. But don't expect it to hold up against the high-speed competition of today's racing games. "Forza Motorsport" was a promising rookie, but it needed a few more laps around the track to truly become the racing legend it is today.