I wouldnt really call these "first impressions" as I'm lvl 68 and counting, and have sunk around 17-18 hours into the game so far, but alas here goes:
This game is amazing. The handling feels spot on and much improved from FH1, and with the inclusion of weather, it gives the game a more diverse experience while play it. It feels like what the original Horizon was trying to be and some. The car diversity and selection is unparalleled in any other open-world/arcade racing game on the market, the map is bigger (slightly) but more importantly, more open for exploration. Everything from the graphics and the atmosphere it gives the game to the improved and breathtaking sounds, this game is great on so many levels. Online multiplayer is fantastic fun aswell, rounding off as deep as a single player you'll get in a AAA game these days.
Only things from me to make this game pretty much perfect would be:
- A map expansion containing another city, bigger than Nice (Marsielle, Genoa anyone?) as I think the game needs another big urban area for tight city street races akin to that of PGR, plus there hella fun.
- A map expansion containing some Mountains that are actually driveable. It seems silly for the game to be set in Southern Europe, for there not to be roads like the Stelvio Pass, climbing mountains with draw dropping vistas. Make it happen PG.
- A course creator. Imagine what some of the creative minds that we have in the Forza community could do with a race creator - Full scale rallies could be made possibly, more endurance races and more tight a technical sections could be achieved also. And allow us to do championship events in them
- THE 1984 PEUGEOT 205 T16 AS FREE DLC (please don't make us pay for it after we have done in F4 and F5, pls Playground, pls.) WITH THE GROUP B BODY KITS
To sum up - This game is one of , if not the best open-world racer to date (For me atleast) Nothing comes close to the content, visuals, diversity and fun this game offers (for open-world). Playground have created a true great with this one.