Playing Forza 3, I can occasionally find myself thinking, ‘this isn’t so different from Gran Turismo 2’. Of course, I’m wrong, but Microsoft’s answer to the perennial driving simulation shows that incremental changes, not revolutions, are what drive the genre.

What hasn’t changed? An overabundance of true-to-life cars – rendered in increasingly painstaking detail – that cover all but the most absurd of types. From Minis to Maseratis, Ferraris to Fiats. A selection of real tracks, taken from Europe and North America, with alternate routes and reverse circuits fleshing out the numbers. An epic career mode, spanning your first foray onto the track, until finally you’re crowned King of the Road at the Nurburgring. Extensive tweaking, part-swapping and paintjob options.

Yes, that’s it. It’s GTA-and-it’s-ilk’s antitheses, more a small, dangerously deep patch of quicksand than a shallow sandbox. In a world in which we expect driving sections in our shooters, and shooting sections in our Drivers, it’s strange to find something so tightly focused, with no story and no ‘characters’ as such (although British actor Peter Egan does soothingly smooth narration job). Driving real cars around real tracks – realistically – buying new cars and upgrading others, and then doing it again, is ‘all’ Forza has to offer, along with a few superfluous extras.

Turn 10 have used a couple of features to help suck the player in. The new career mode is a far more simplified affair; you’re pushed further and further down the rows of a calendar, encountering one bi-weekly, season long event per ‘year’, along with additional, smaller events during weekdays. The longer events are set, progressing from class-to-class each season, while for the others you’re given options as to which set of races you’d like to take part in. They largely fall into two categories: a certain class of car around a certain type of track, or a certain make of car or cars, often themed around the car’s origin. To keep you hooked, Turn 10 turn to an RPG-style level grind. Races earn you credits to spend on cars and upgrades, as well as points to level up with. Each new level for the racer sees you bribed by another manufacturer, as they compete for your affections like F1 teams at Jenson Button’s feet. Each new level for your particular choice of car sees discounts for various parts of that manufacturer’s cars. It certainly adds a ‘just one more race’ feel to the season mode.

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