Most of us love driving fast, but cannot afford to do it in real life. That is what video games are for. If you are buying for, or are, a racing fan then choosing a racer this holiday season may not be such a hard choice. There is not a lot of options out there, so picking a racer is more about picking the play style than the better franchise.
Forza Horizon 2 (FH2) – This is the choice for the quasi-realistic,quasi-arcade style racer. The graphics and sound effects are top notch. The physics are fairly realistic until you take a Ferrarri off road and it does not immediately bottom out. The cars are customizable both in look and performance. Between this and Forza Motorsports 5 you will not find a paint shop with this much freedom of expression. There are over 200 cars that can be upgraded to the point of ridiculousness. There is plenty of fun that can be had here through the story as well as online. You can join other players and take on various challenges throughout the open world. Unfortunately this is XBOX One only. This is also the only game where you and your friends can get together and race Kitt, Herbie, General Lee, the Bandit, the Mystery Machine, and the A Team Van.
The Crew – For PS4 owners wanting a new game it will be this or Driveclub. This is a more arcadish experience than FH2. The maps is larger than FH2, but with less detail. Overall the Crew doesn’t seem as polished either. There is a little more mayhem to be had here much like the old Burnout series. This looks to be a better choice for those itching to let out their inner hoodlum. Overall XBOX One owners should go for FH2. This pick offers more entertainment value than Driveclub on the PS4, but at the cost of graphics and realism.
DriveClub – The reviews range from great to terrible and, arcade to realistic style. In my hands on experience customization is pretty much nill, and it does not offer a lot in racing options. The social options are touted about but there are a substantial number of connection issue complaints so far. It is the prettiest racer out there by a mile, and it is has far more realistic handling then The Crew. The lack of options seems to only be a fit for the hardcore of racing fans.
Forza Motorsport 5 – For the most realism in racing this is your best bet for an XBOX One owner (after some settings tweaks). The realism can be turned up or down depending on the player’s choice. Make no mistake though, this is a racing game only and for those who like some chaotic adrenaline this will not suffice. The graphics are amazing and the audio is outstanding. Visual customization here is unsurpassed and only equaled by its cousin FH2. Performance upgrades will let you get a Ford Fiesta to 200 MPH. At least in a straight away, you are going to hit something at that point but the fun getting there. The complete edition is out there with all the add-ons. If you are looking to stay on a budget, the original copy can be purchased for under $30 in most places.
Need For Speed Rivals – This often chaotic arcade style racer has been able to be enjoyed on both PS4 and XBOX One for awhile now. So most racing game fans probably already have it. It does have a complete edition out where you can get all the goodies included or you can get the original version for under $30. You can play as a cop or crook and you also get nifty gadgets to catch or escape from your opposition. Customization is limited but the graphics and controls are fantastic. This is worth a buy for anyone who likes car games, but it can get repetitive and likely will not keep anyone’s doors blow off for a long time.
MotoGP & MXGP– Sorry XBOX One owners if motorcycles are your thing then you are left out in the cold. Sitting there..in the window..watching them play their PS4. The tears freezing to our cheeks as we watch them tear up the track on their two wheeled machines of awesomeness. I am not bitter and I am not counting Trials Fusion, since it is more of an obstacle course than a racing game. MotoGP is for your street bikes and MXGP is your dirt bike racing. There is not a lot of point in going into detail on these because they are your only option. Just know that for the most part, they deliver. There is nothing groundbreaking from either title. They will not win any new fans to the sport the way that Gran Tourismo did, but it will get fans by.
All in all I would recommend Forza Horzon 2 for XBOX One owners. The Crew is the best bet for PS4 owners. If you are buying on a budget, the Need For Speed Rivals is a pretty safe bet. I hope this helps and happy holidays.