With Forza Motorsport 2, you’ll get overload trying to decide which sweet ride you want to take for a spin first.
Forza Motorsport 2
Publisher: Microsoft
Platforms: Xbox 360
Rating: E – Everyone
Game type: Racing
**** 1/2 (out of 5)
What’s the premise?
Get behind the wheel of more than 300 different cars on more than 60 tracks in the ultimate high-def auto racing experience.
This game is most similar to…?
Forza Motorsport for Xbox.
Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
The game is rated E for Everyone, but you’ll have to change a lot of settings to make this one easy enough for younger kids to have any shot at succeeding.
One player or more?
You can go head-to-head on split-screen or, using a system link (two 360s and a wire), you can take the action online and face up to eight real-world competitors.
What’s missing?
Certainly not choices! You’ll get overload trying to decide which sweet ride you want to take for a spin first.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Follow the path. The designers have included a fine feature for rookie drivers that displays the optimal path to stick to on every course, including colour coding for when to speed up and when to brake.
And in the end?
With deep single-player and online play and a staggering amount of customization, Forza Motorsport 2 wears the crown as the king of 2007 street racing titles.
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For an exclusive interview with Che Chou, community manager for Forza Motorsport 2, check out www.metronews.ca/podcasts.
Mario Party 8 delivers hours of fun.
Mario Party 8
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Wii
Rating: E – Everyone
Game type: Party
****
What’s the premise?
One of the most beloved party games around gets its first Wii version and delivers hours of fun, featuring six new game boards and 65 new minigames to keep the action rolling.
This game is most similar to…?
I have to go with the obvious: Mario Party 7.
Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?
My nearly-four-year-old son and his grandma thoroughly enjoyed the MP8 experience.
One player or more?
If you’re playing this game by yourself, you need to put the Wiimote down. Go outside and make some friends — just so you can enjoy MP8 as it’s meant to be played.
What’s missing?
Not all minigames are created equal. Some are too easy and others are just too contrived. It would be nice if they were consistent.
The (not-so) secret to success is…?
Know when to eat a sweet. Gobble a candy treat (found all over the game boards and available for purchase at convenient shops) to gain power ups that can, among other things, steal coins from rivals is a quick path to victory.
And in the end?
Other than Metroid Prime 3 and Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Party 8 is probably the most anticipated Nintendo release of 2007 and it doesn’t disappoint. For gamers who love the social aspect of their Wii, MP8 can’t be beat.
jonathan.kuehlein@metronews.ca
