Pre-order Forza Motorsport 7

Sitting down with Forza Motorsport 7 is a lot like catching up with an old friend. For the most part, you know what to expect, but there is always something new to hear about since you last saw them. Jumping in for the first time on an Xbox One X felt very familiar, but the new additions that I noticed during my limited time with the game were welcome upgrades.

First and foremost are the visuals. The first time most players saw Forza running in 4K was with the free Forza Motorsport 6: Apex game for Windows 10. More a proof of concept than anything else, Apex gave us a taste of what Forza could look like in 4K at 60 fps. Forza Motorsport 7 takes that into a full game and brings the experience home to the console.

Fluid motion isn't Forza Motorsport 7's only trick, though, as the increased resolution allows for more detailed effects work. For example, in the first Dubai track, the shimmering distortion of the heat is clearly visible in the distance. When it comes to rendering reality, the little details matter, and if the early gameplay is any indication, then Forza Motorsport 7 is set to raise the visual bar once again.

Weather variety is another upgrade, with dynamic weather making an appearance. Unlike Forza Motorsport 6, which limited weather to specific tracks, we're told that the weather can change as you play.

Poking around in the Forza Motorsport 7 menus, it was clear that microtransactions are making a return, though how much of an impact those will have on gameplay is yet to be determined. If they are simply optional ways to speed up progression, then it's no harm, no foul, but if the microtransactions mess with the game economy, expect fans to be upset. It's a delicate balance.

Customization in Forza Motorsport 7 hits all the standard notes, with the addition of custom race gear for your driver. You don't really get a chance to get out of the car, aside from cut scenes, but whatever gear you choose for your driver (as well as the sex of your driver) will be reflected in the in-game visuals. It's a small thing, but it's another opportunity to tweak the game to your personal preferences.

While performance in the races was solid on the Xbox One X, all of my gameplay was solely in single-player mode. Any impressions of online play will have to wait until after we have final review code in hand.

Ultimately, Forza Motorsport 7 looks like it is shaping up to be a showcase for the Xbox One X, but the under-the-hood improvements should still benefit Xbox One and Xbox One S owners. Although the full game doesn't come out until next month, you can give Forza Motorsport 7 a spin today as soon as the demo goes live on the Xbox and Windows 10 storefronts.