Following the now traditional annual alternation between the two Microsoft racing franchises, this year sees the release of the sequel to 2012’s critically acclaimed Forza Horizon, the Forza Motorsport spin-off based around a music festival and set on the open roads to drive to your heart’s content. Forza Horizon 2 will be even bigger and better than the last outing, and to ensure that, Turn 10 Studios have enlisted the services of Sumo Digital to help Playground Games with the development of the title, both companies based in the UK’s Midlands.
The first game introduced a full day/night cycle to the series for the first time, but Horizon 2 goes further, throwing dynamic weather into the mix, meaning the game’s new location of the Cote d’Azur will be lashed by rain and shrouded in mist as well as providing beautiful sunsets and starry night skies. Players will be treated to beautiful recreations of portions of southern France and northern Italy, from Monaco to Tuscany and up into the Alpine foothills.
Let’s not forget the important aspect though, the cars. Over 200 have been announced. As you’d expect, everything from hot hatches to full blown supercars are represented. Pitch the Renault Clio V6 up against a Lamborghini Huracán or a Ford Focus RS head-to-head with a McLaren P1. Track day cars are also on offer for the first time, with Caterham and the Ariel Atom making an appearance. Of course, for a game with an extensive amount of dirt and gravel, there’s plenty of off-roaders to choose from. The Mitsubishi Lancer and Subaru Impreza make themselves heard alongside hulking Hummers and the classic Jeep.
Unlike its track-based counterpart Forza Motorsport 5, Horizon 2 will be available on both XboxOne and Xbox360 on September 30th 2014, with a demo available from September 16th.
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