Forza Motorsport

An Xbox answer to the PlayStation's popular Gran Turismo series, Forza Motorsport is a serious driving simulation boasting licensed vehicles and realistic action. The game features automobiles from more than 60 brand-name manufacturers including BMW, Chevy, Dodge, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Nissan, and Porsche. Vehicles are extensively customizable, allowing players to trick out their favorite ride with new paint and rims, or upgrade with new engines, brakes, suspensions, and additional systems. Astute drivers can also fine-tune gear ratios, timing, tire pressure, and other elements for top performance in particular driving conditions.

Like the cars and equipment, the game's courses are also based on real-world equivalents, so players can race through re-creations of famous runs such as the Nurburgring or the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Opponent behavior is influenced by the game's "Drivatar" technology, which is designed to learn and mimic the tactics and tendencies of human players. Gamers can train their own Drivatars, who can race for them or help train new members of their team. In spite of the customizable artificial intelligence, sometimes nothing beats racing against other gamers, so a number of multiplayer modes are supported through the Xbox Live service.