Hot Lap Around ‘Forza Motorsport 3’

With the arrival this week of “Forza Motorsport 3” ($60) for Microsoft’s Xbox 360, the race between “Forza” and Sony’s “Gran Turismo” accelerates. “Gran Turismo 5″ for the PlayStation 3 is scheduled for release in Japan next March (for now).

The latest iteration of the Forza series — first introduced for the Xbox four years ago — is no easier to master than past versions, but it does have an inviting setup system that makes it easier for novices to, well, hop in the car and drive off.

The cars, in showroom-sheen, are gorgeous, as are all the graphics. The engine sounds are distinct for each car, from an everyday Civic to an exotic Ferrari. While the interiors are fun to explore, I found that the point of view out the front can be limited.

As with most games of this ilk, players have the choice to compete in a single race or season event, and they earn credits for new car (as in, higher performance) purchases as they advance through the game levels.

One new feature that’s sparked some discussion is Rewind, which allows players to back up a bit — from a collision, say, or an encounter with the armco barrier — so one needs not restart a race. Cheating? A little, I guess.

Some of the other cool features of the new game, which was developed by Turn 10 Studios for Microsoft:

• There are 400 different, customizable cars available to race, from American muscle (Mustang and Camaro, of course) to European exotics (Audi R8) and Japanese roadsters (Nissan 370Z). Even a basic Toytoa Yaris is included for the gas conscious.

• There are 100 tracks, including the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife. You can also cruise the Amalfi Coast in Italy, barrel down the historic Sebring Raceway in Florida and attack the Circuit de la Sarthe, site of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

• The feel of a car has been improved in the new game, according to early reviews. “Cars feel heavier, handle wonderfully, and are less jerky at low speeds,” wrote GameSpy. According to IGN.com, “The tire physics are so greatly improved (and include real-time deformation), that you get a true understanding of how your car is reacting at every turn.”

While the game does throw a bone to the inexperienced, experts seem at home here as well, as I reported back in June when Microsoft sponsored the Audi Forza Challenge at the Audi Forum in Manhattan, with players competing on a pre-release version of “Forza Motorsport 3.”