Okay, first things first: this game's graphics are out of this world. If FH2 and FM6 were steps in the right direction, with progressively less cartoon-ish and more consistently realistic graphics, Horizon 3 is the first game in this decade-old saga that can seriously compete for the title of best-looking racing game out there. Hell, I am sure that in 4k and with HDR, it wins hands down.
The clearly improved lightning model - which really shines (no pun intended) at sunset and in when racing under the thick canopy of Australia's lush rainforest - is only part of a new strategy that clearly puts graphical fidelity at the centre of PG's renewed attack on the gearhead's senses.
A lot of effort clearly went into making not only the way light and particles, but the environment in general much more convincing. There's been a marked increase in the quality of environmental meshes and textures - which were perhaps one of the biggest weaknesses of Horizon 2 - and the foaming ocean, and big blue skies of Australia have all been replicated in a way that will surely make my fellow Forzatographers squeal with joy. GT Scapes, eat your heart out!
And yet the demo runs incredibly smooth, with no framerate drops. Which surprised me a bit, to be honest. Of course, it's entirely possible that the quality won't be as consistent across the board, or the game engine will falter when pushed by what will be no doubt an heavier workload; but PG has nothing to prove, so why risk the backlash of releasing a pumped-up demo only for the finished title to disappoint as soon as the player leaves the (already quite wide) confines of Byron Bay?
The sounds has also improved much; the Centenario's V12 sounds even more like the Emilian symphony that it's supposed to be; the beefy V8 of the Holden Maloo will growl with gusto, and the Ariel Nomad's Honda engine is simply insane. The new handling model - which makes the difference between an off-roader, a muscle and a supercar much more, but not too much meaningful - will probably turn even driving around in a Reliant Regal a pleasurable, almost addictive experience.
Overall, looking at Horizon 3 it's hard to believe it's made by the same guys that four years ago were launching the first Horizon - it's much more polished, much more fun, and we haven't even started yet.
But now, enough chit-chat. Have some shots.