| Forza Horizon 3 | |
| |
| Developer(s) | Turn 10 Studios Playground Games |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Series | Forza Horizon |
| Release Date(s) |  WW: September 27, 2016 |
| Genre(s) | Racing/Arcade |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | CERO: B ESRB: E ACB: PG PEGI: 3 |
| Platform(s) | Xbox One, Windows 10 |
| Predecessor | Forza Horizon 2 |
| Successor | Forza Horizon 4 |
Forza Horizon 3 is an open world racing game developed by Playground Games, Turn 10 Studios and published by Microsoft Studios for Xbox One and Windows 10 PC's. It is the third installment in the Horizon series and the ninth installment in the overall Forza franchise.
The game was announced on June 13, 2016 and was released three months later on September 27, 2016 in the United States and Europe and on September 29, 2016 in Japan. On January 15, 2017, the game received an Xbox One X Enhanced patch, allowing the game to run at native 4K with other additional enhancements on the console.
The game's engine is based on the Forza Horizon 2 engine and was developed by Playground games in collaboration with Turn 10 Studios.
Forza Horizon 3 is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, meaning that if a digital copy of the game is owned, the user has access to both the PC and console version of the game at no additional cost. However, on September 27, 2020 the game was delisted from the Xbox and Microsoft Store, meaning that the game and its DLC can no longer be purchased digitally.
In 2018, the next installment in the Horizon series, Forza Horizon 4 was released for Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs.
Gameplay[]
Forza Horizon 3 is set around various music festivals set in places all around Australia such as; Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, The Outback and The Yarra Valley. Two expansions were released for the game adding new locations, including Blizzard Mountain and Hot Wheels Thrilltopia.
Unlike previous Forza Horizon games, where the player was a participant in the Horizon Festival, this time around the player is put in charge as the boss of the festival. The player progresses by earning fans by racing and completing PR stunts and bucket list challenges.
Once the player reaches certain amounts of fans, they are given the option to upgrade or expand to one of four festival sites set in various location around the map. Expanding to and upgrading festival sites unlocks more activities for the player to complete.
As well as unlocking upgrades for festival sites, earning fans also unlocks new showcase events that the player can complete in. Showcase events are special point to point races where the player will race against another form of transport, such as a speed boat or even jet plane.
New features[]
- Drivatar Lineup allows players to hire/fire drivatars. Hired drivatars will earn money based on their performance.
- It is now possible to select a character and their name. Players can choose either a male or a female, then from a huge selection of male names, female names, and nicknames.
- Groove Music Radio Station can import music over from Groove Music and/or OneDrive into the game.
- Xbox Play Anywhere is a new Xbox feature over several games which, when the game is bought digitally, allows to switch back and forth between an Xbox One and a Windows 10 PC with progress and achievements saved.
- Water riding - The map has been expanded furthermore, allowing players to drive though rivers and beaches. However, driving into out-of-bounds areas (e.g. water that is too deep) will cause the player's vehicle to respawn at the nearest available road. Also, driving on water, depending on its depth, will slow the player's vehicle down.
- More customization - there are now wide bodykits, character customization, custom horn sounds, and custom license plates.
- Drift Zones - Drift through an area and beat a set score to earn fans.
- Convoys - Go on journeys around Australia with the AI.
- Danger Signs - Jump through a sign and get a certain distance to earn fans.
- Horizon Blueprint allows players to customize the time/weather conditions, event restrictions, route, available cars, and the name of the event in the game.
- ForzaVista - The vehicle exploration/customization mode from Forza Motorsport 5 and Forza Motorsport 6 appears in the Forza Horizon series for the first time.
- Drone Mode - A new viewing mode where the player views the action through a flying drone, which can also be used to discover secrets, collectible items, and even Barn Finds.
- 4 player online co-op campaign.
- Skill Songs - a skill song is when a song plays but while the song is playing the player gets double skill points.
Returning Features[]
- Drivatars - the game will learn how players drive and create a virtual approximation driving around in cars players own. The players drivatar will also show up in other people's games and earn credits for them when they race.
- Auction House/Storefront - the Auction House is the place where players can buy other people's cars and sell their own. The storefront will work with the Auction House and will allow players to view other players' designs, tunes and vinyls.
- Horizon Wheelspins
Events[]
Returning into Forza Horizon 3 are Rivals, Bucket Lists, 1,000 player car clubs, Online Free Roam, and Online Adventure (Online Road Trip).
Music[]
Forza Horizon 3 features eight unlockable radio stations as well as Groove Music (no longer available) which allows players to import there own music to the game. There are 150 songs across all eight radio stations in Forza Horizon 3 that cover a range of different genres such as Electronica, R&B and rock. The eight included stations can be found below.
- Vagrant Records
- Epitaph Records
- Future Classic Radio
- Hospital Records
- Horizon Pulse
- Horizon Bass Arena
- Horizon Block Party
- Timeless FM
Trivia[]
- Horizon Bass Arena, Horizon Pulse and Hospital Records are the only radio stations that have returned from Forza Horizon 2.
- Forza Horizon 3 includes more music than any other Forza Horizon game.
- On September 27, 2020, Forza Horizon 3 was delisted meaning that it is no longer possible to digitally purchase the game or any of its DLC.