Open Beta Impressions
Oh dear Ubisoft...
My impressions with this so far are the same as the Closed Beta, that is to say disappointed overall.
So I've been playing the closed beta for a couple of hours now so here are my early impressions (most are the same as my Closed Beta feedback):
- Cinematic cutscene videos are extremely low resolution and are jarring in comparison with the 3D cutscene resolution.
- Sometimes poor lipsync and (subjective) questionable dialogue from the writers.
- Frequently, the game would stop registering a pressed key, so, for example, I would be holding W to accelerate and the game would suddenly behave as if the key was released, until the key was pressed again. Rebinding didn't fix it, and it happens to all directional keys.
- Lots of AI vehicle pop-in. I would see a coach or lorry in the distance, only for it to fade out and be replaced by a car a few seconds later. Driving around LA on the motorway, I saw 3 cars disappear as I approached at speed and got within 20 metres.
- The default menu button isn't Escape but is bound to F10, and there is no way to rebind to Escape, as it cancels the keybind prompt.
- The Chat/Social menu would benefit from tab switch key indicators overlaid with a dedicated hide chat or show when active button to reduce UI clutter.
- Vehicle and character customisation would benefit from previews for all cosmetic items. It already exists for performance parts, paint colours and rims, so why not for all other cosmetics?
- (Subjective) The default aircraft controls need a much better tutorial.
- Game runs smoothly on Ultra on i7-6700K/GTX1080 but there is sadly still no option for 144 Hz refresh rate. This was a problem with The Crew, but is present in Forza Horizon 3.
- LODs and texture are extremely poor when in the air and using the 3D map, so much so that roads appear to be painted low-resolution gravel textures.
- General environment textures are poor even on high resolution. This is in stark contrast to the generally good car textures and modelling.
- UI overall is significantly better than The Crew and is visually very pleasant.
- Vehicle headlights are pathetically weak at night - Forza Horizon 3 does this much better.
- (Minor) In the Freestylers in-engine cutscene the aircraft landing gear wheels don't rotate when it's rolling on the ground.
- The default car horns sound pretty awful and don't fit the cars they are on. Please offer horn customisation like Forza Horizon 3.
- Mirrors don't function - I'm not sure whether this is a bug or an oversight, but it's a shame to see a racing game without functioning mirrors.
- There is no intuitive way to quit the game - the 'B' key tools menu isn't demonstrated clearly enough. This command should be in the main menu and accessible via the Escape key.
- (Subjective) I think you guys missed out big-time in not basing the game in Europe or East Asia - having the same map again is unimaginative and boring.
- Kudos for including motorbikes, boats and aeroplanes - makes a nice change.
I'll post back if I come across any more issues.
Sad to say, I might not be buying this one and going for Forza Horizon 4 instead, unless things really improve post-launch.
Edit
- Lack of cosmetic damage beyond light scuffs.
1 people found this helpful
Junior Member
