Highlights
- Forza Motorsport's impressive graphics and lifelike handling are overshadowed by the often aggressive AI opponents known as Drivatars, making clean racing almost impossible at times.
- The aggressive Drivatars detract from the meticulously maintained sim racing aesthetic and break the illusion of elite races, with players often forced to take less efficient lines to avoid collisions.
- In contrast to rival sim racing game Gran Turismo 7, Forza Motorsport's Drivatars show little regard for the rules of the road, while GT7's AI opponents behave in a more cautious and realistic fashion. However, post-launch patches may improve Forza Motorsport's Drivatars in the future.
There are plenty of things to praise about the recently released Forza Motorsport, from its impressive graphics to the lifelike handling of its high-end cars. One thing the Turn 10 Studios title isn’t likely to receive high marks for, though, is the often aggressive AI opponents players have to face off against in the game’s career mode. Whether it’s turning the starting line into an all-out automotive brawl or sideswiping players as they make a tricky turn on one of Forza Motorsports' many tracks, the AI drivers known as Drivatars make clean racing practically impossible at times.
The Forza Motorsport franchise has always had a reputation for presenting players with somewhat aggressive Drivatars to race against, but this seems to have been amplified with the latest release. Improvements to Forza’s Drivatars were touted in the lead-up to Forza Motorsport’s release, and Turn 10 did manage to add some noticeable variety to the lines that other racers take around the track, but in most instances, they drive as aggressively as ever. This can lead to frustration for players hoping to make it through a race free of scuffs and scratches and puts it in direct opposition to the polite AIs found in its biggest racing rival.
Forza Motorsport’s Aggressive Drivatars Can Lead to a Rough Ride for Racers
The aggressive Drivatars in Forza Motorsport detract from the game’s otherwise meticulously maintained sim racing aesthetic. Taking off from the starting line of a race only to find the other drivers turning the first turn into a free-for-all can break the illusion that players are taking part in the sorts of races normally reserved for the world’s most elite drivers. While players can negate some of the Drivatars’ reckless tendencies by giving them a wide berth on the track, this can lead to taking less efficient lines to avoid collisions.
This habit of driving with little to no regard for the rules of the road can quickly make Forza Motorsport’s often-erratic Drivatars a sore spot for some players. Those who prefer a strictly sim-focused driving experience may find themselves spending the bulk of their time in Forza Motorsport’s multiplayer mode where online opponents usually exhibit at least a bit more interest in self-preservation than their computer-controlled counterparts. Forza Motorsport’s Drivatars are a far cry from the AI opponents found in rival sim racing game Gran Turismo 7, who seem to go out of their way to avoid other drivers.
The AI in Forza Motorsport Stands in Stark Contrast to Gran Turismo 7's
When it comes to the relatively niche world of simulation racing games, comparisons to Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo series are almost inevitable, and it’s no different with Forza Motorsport. Although the realistic physics and detailed car models found in Forza Motorsport rival and even sometimes surpass those found in Gran Turismo 7, the behavior of the AI opponents in the two series is drastically different. While Forza Motorsport’s Drivatars have no qualms with sideswiping players to shave a few seconds off a lap, the computer-controlled drivers in Sony’s series typically behave in a more cautious and realistic fashion.
Even when setting aside the impressive abilities of Gran Turismo 7’s GT Sophy, an AI that’s trounced some of the game’s best drivers in competition, the PlayStation exclusive provides generally more realistic opponents to race against. Gran Turismo 7’s advantage in this aspect of gameplay may prove to be fleeting, though. The Forza franchise has a history of patching particularly problematic parts of its racers after launch, meaning Forza Motorsport’s Drivatars could see significant improvements in the coming months.
For gamers looking for an unfailingly realistic sim racing experience, Forza Motorsport’s daredevil Drivatars may make the game a tough sell for now. Luckily, the Turn 10 title will likely receive post-launch patches to tamp down the overly aggressive tendencies of the game’s drivers, but until then early adopters of Forza Motorsport may be in for a rough ride.
Forza Motorsport is available for PC and Xbox Series X/S.