Forza Horizon 2 Changed The Series Forever

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
  • Forza Horizon is what we consider these days a household title in regards to racing games, but where did this all start? Forza Horizon 2, was arguably one of the most influential racing games for the current and last generation. It's been 10 years since Horizon 2 launched, and as I deem it one of my all time favourite racing games, I wanted to revisit Horizon 2, and dive deep into the pre-production, the content of the finished product, as well as post launch to give you the ultimate Forza Horizon 2 review! So join me as we look at Forza Horizon 2, 10 years later...
    Subscribe to Retro Ranger Reviews! / @retrorangerreviews88
    Patreon: / ultraviolet208
    Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/ultravioletchannel
    Instagram ultraviolet_cha...
    Chapters:
    0:00 Introduction
    1:23 A Next Generation Horizon
    5:54 Horizon 2's Charismatic Cars
    10:05 A Horizon Road Trip Career Review
    19:58 Europes Atmosphere And Map
    24:16 Post-Launch
    29:38 In Conclusion
  • Hry

Komentáře • 299

  • @fastlanegaming
    @fastlanegaming Před 20 dny +226

    The Map(s), the Cars, the Sounds, the vibes & feeling that it gives you while driving on that coastal road… *_Just unmatched._*

    • @MichaBigBoss
      @MichaBigBoss Před 19 dny +3

      Till this day for real. I hope FH6 will beat FH2 vibe.

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +5

      @@MichaBigBoss I don't think there's any other place in the world that can beat Southern Europe. Even Japan pales in comparison to Cote d'Azur.

    • @simeonyves5940
      @simeonyves5940 Před 19 dny +3

      @@zerotofifty FH6 really needs to Return to Southern Europe IMO, now they have the much more Powerful Series S/X and PC's to work with, they can easily give us a vastly Larger Map in that Location, something more in line with ETS2 with the DLC's...

    • @user-vm2jl7tx5z
      @user-vm2jl7tx5z Před 18 dny +2

      Don't talk about fh2 on Xbox 360 😅

    • @justingonzalez1880
      @justingonzalez1880 Před 15 dny

      Agreed, you fast lane are the only one who knows exactly how I feel bout this game

  • @OfficialTS25
    @OfficialTS25 Před 20 dny +90

    You even skipped the fact that the soundtrack actually made you feel like you’re at a festival, like you’re in a certain area like Southern Europe. My favourite Horizon Game and top 3 game of all time.

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +6

      Such a shame they didn't have a French and/or Italian radio station. It would make a great soundtrack even better.

    • @uncleham8984
      @uncleham8984 Před 19 dny +3

      Personally I think after 3, bass arena and pulse felt very tastless and couldn't fit anywhere in the later titles, barely 2 or 3 good songs for each station and the rest is a sleeper

    • @ofnir123
      @ofnir123 Před 16 dny +2

      @@uncleham8984 Even Hospital Records kind of topped with 3. The selection in 2 was downright magical

    • @ultraspeedy4911
      @ultraspeedy4911 Před 13 dny

      Exactly this. The music felt like you were at an actual European festival listening to music that makes you wanna drive cars to their limit

    • @purwantiallan5089
      @purwantiallan5089 Před 10 dny

      ​@@uncleham8984imagine if we got Persona 3 soundtracks on FH2.

  • @griff2162
    @griff2162 Před 20 dny +91

    started it this year and, in my opinion, this is the best horizon, not to mention that my whole music taste is based around this game

    • @Wrecks-ip4ep
      @Wrecks-ip4ep Před 19 dny +6

      FR this game literally is my music taste! And in my opinion the music best matches the game as compared to other horizon games where the music doesn't really fit the vibe.

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +4

      @@Wrecks-ip4ep FH3 and FH1 both had soundtracks that matched their respective settings.
      I'd say that FH4's soundtrack feels too cold and mechanic for a relatively welcoming and traditional looking Britain.

    • @sartorialdriver6528
      @sartorialdriver6528 Před 16 dny +1

      @@Wrecks-ip4ep You hit it on the head man, probably the most perfectly curated soundtrack for it's map/premise of all time.

    • @Bassemann87
      @Bassemann87 Před 11 dny

      Yeah i loved listen to Chvrches - The mothers that we chare and cruise around in the game.

    • @purwantiallan5089
      @purwantiallan5089 Před 10 dny

      ​@@sartorialdriver6528the songs in FH2 also top notch.

  • @joshjmilli
    @joshjmilli Před 19 dny +26

    Horizon 2 is still the best looking Horizon imo. It looks like how you would visualise a hot, sunny day by the Mediterranean coast in your head. You can almost feel how lush the air is just by looking at it

    • @pineappleracing6547
      @pineappleracing6547 Před 19 dny +8

      I don't even need to visualize it as I live in Southern France. Simply put, devs did a phenomenal job with the map as it captures what makes this region of the world one of the most desirable places for tourists but most importantly for petrolheads.

    • @purwantiallan5089
      @purwantiallan5089 Před 10 dny

      ​@@pineappleracing6547FH5 is as broken as FH2 XBOX 360.

  • @rajvardhansinghchauhan5427
    @rajvardhansinghchauhan5427 Před 20 dny +18

    used to play this game at my friend's house, can't believe it's been 10 years. To this day this is my favourite forza horizon

  • @RetroRangerReviews88
    @RetroRangerReviews88 Před 20 dny +31

    What an absolutely beautiful video, mate. I’m playing through FH1 and the points you’ve raised here resonate hard. You’ve got me excited to get into FH2 as soon as I’m done with its prequel.
    If only the newer FH games retained the same soul and charm while making progressive improvements in the areas that truely matter. And, thank you so much for that massive shoutout! It’s an honour to have been a part of bringing this to fruition.

    • @kimreinikainen
      @kimreinikainen Před 19 dny +1

      Never played FH2?

    • @RetroRangerReviews88
      @RetroRangerReviews88 Před 19 dny

      @@kimreinikainen only played the opening race and that’s it.

    • @kimreinikainen
      @kimreinikainen Před 19 dny +1

      @@RetroRangerReviews88 hint. The game has a lot of the secret pathways specially at the coastal road. So take your time and explore every corner.

    • @purwantiallan5089
      @purwantiallan5089 Před 10 dny +1

      ​@@kimreinikainenfor me FH2 still the best Horizon even 10 years after release.

    • @kimreinikainen
      @kimreinikainen Před 6 dny

      @@purwantiallan5089 agreed

  • @georgesanchez8051
    @georgesanchez8051 Před 20 dny +59

    Wow 10 years huh. This game is still unmatched imo. It was just so ahead of its time. Newer games are more advanced and maybe even “better” in some ways, but this one felt like the NFSU2 of the 2010s. Horizon 1 came up with the blueprint and the vision (it was itself genre-defining), but FH2 perfected it.

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +3

      FH2 is without a doubt one of my favourite driving games of all time and it's always nice to see more people enjoying it. That being said, I think there are a few minor details that could've made it even better :
      -Horizon Finale is simply impossible to replay once you win it the 2nd time. Did they somehow think that not being able to replay the race would make the 2 times you won it more memorable because the only other explanation was forcing people to play online as it was available in online freeroam?
      -Once again, there are no drag races in singleplayer and the only MP drag race is the airport one. This such a shame because there were some amazing spots to do drag racing such as the highway or the straight in Nice.
      -This game is responsible for the downgrade in campaign and progression. Wheelspins were introduced in this game making RNG a huge factor for one's progression. As you've pointed out, mid-game story was completely lacking and post-game content is infinitely repetitive. FH1 also had a 2nd free DLC called 1000 Club and they were basically like accolades but for each car and it could've easily been improved for FH2 but instead they completely removed this part of the game.
      -Porsche Expansion (another thing you didn't mention) was a weak 3rd expansion compared to what we got in FH3 and Storm Mountain expansion map was copy pasted from a northern-east section of the map. You can even search "fh2 expansion copy paste" on google to confirm it yourself.
      -There are no tools to make custom championships or even custom races so you have to do the entire roadtrip just to replay your favourite race.
      -They removed custom lobbies and race modes like cat and mouse and replaced it with road trips. While those road trips were pretty fun, drifting during races was incentived as it gave you XP (The one with most XP won the championship) which turned some races into a complete joke. We had to wait until FH4 to get proper online races.

    • @shawklan27
      @shawklan27 Před 19 dny +1

      ​@@zerotofifty Horizon 1 is still peak in the franchise

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +2

      @@shawklan27 IMO it goes FH1 > FH2 = FH3 > FH4 = FH5

    • @mjbakedbeans
      @mjbakedbeans Před 19 dny +1

      @@zerotofiftyI personally put fh5 ahead of 4 but ik I’m the odd one out

    • @mick2287
      @mick2287 Před 17 dny

      NFSU2 has a FAR FAR better career/campaign.
      Horizon is a much better sandbox though.

  • @SSruh
    @SSruh Před 19 dny +10

    The trees in this game look so good. It blows my mind how they look better than trees in horizon 5

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +3

      I also like the trees in the new Forza Motorsport.

  • @killermouse877
    @killermouse877 Před 20 dny +8

    This game had SUCH a feeling when i was younger. I miss it. I also miss the friends i had back then. Great video. 👍

  • @paleolad
    @paleolad Před 20 dny +11

    I really loved and prefered FH2 to 1. *But* I also really remember how "disapponting" the final race was compared to the final race of the first installment. This might be nostalgia talking, but my memories of that final FH1 race feel unmatched.

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +3

      FH1 finale was something you worked towards throughout the whole game while FH2's finale was just a random very long race that you could only play twice.
      Somehow FH3 managed to make Goliath even less significant as it was treated the same way as any other race in that game.
      FH4 made things a bit better when they made these longer races for each race type and it took some grinding to unlock them.

    • @rad8078
      @rad8078 Před 17 dny +1

      One of the things that turn me off of the newer games is that you start off at the “top” or some sort of “manager/owner” of the festival. I want to be the underdog again, I don’t want drivatars when I only talk to 5-6 of my Xbox friends and the rest are mutual randoms (who I haven’t talked to since 2018). I want characters with names and personalities to race, who are relevant to the festival. I want to beat rivals and get the best wristband not just help make the festival popular.

  • @heatgamer7008
    @heatgamer7008 Před 20 dny +11

    Forza horizon 2 had a beautiful map, great songs, nice cars and ofcourse great festival.
    I'm so glad I still have a copy of this game on my shelf it's a shame they shut it down but aleast the offline is amazing on its own.

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +3

      Crusing around in FH2 and doing freeroam races against drivatars will never get boring.

  • @BloxWich
    @BloxWich Před 20 dny +12

    Ultraviolet, your deep dive into Forza Horizon 2 is pure gold! 🏆 Revisiting this iconic game after 10 years really highlights how it reshaped the entire Horizon series. Your detailed analysis of its pre-production, content, and post-launch impact shows why Horizon 2 remains a fan favorite. This video is a must-watch for any racing game enthusiast. Thanks for taking us on this nostalgic journey and reminding us why Forza Horizon 2 is a true classic! 🚗🎮

  • @zerotofifty
    @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +6

    I loved the use of NFS OST throughout the video. I guess there aren't many people left that played the original games if no one has mentioned it yet but then again it's been 20+ years now.

    • @simeonyves5940
      @simeonyves5940 Před 19 dny +2

      One of the Few who still Remembers Proper NFS (TNFS-HP2) and those Epic Rom Di Prisko Trance Scores!

  • @thedarkjustice2005
    @thedarkjustice2005 Před 13 dny +4

    I’ve played Forza Horizon 2,3,4 and 5. No matter how many racing games come, Forza Horizon 2 has always been the best game to me and will always be. I spent so much time playing Forza Horizon 2 to enjoy it and make me feel good. I’ve played many games now such as GTA,Spiderman, Gran Turismo, WWE 2k23 and 2k24, The enjoyment I had with Forza Horizon 2 will always top all those games combined no matter what. I will play Forza Horizon 2 again with a new progress and enjoy that feeling again. I remember when I got the Xbox One after playing the PlayStation 3 for years and when I got Forza Horizon 2, it was so great. I remember being upset when my parents didn’t let me buy new games and I was stuck playing Forza Horizon 2 for 7-8 years, I was ultimately great full at the end because I had lots of fun. Now I have the ps5 and I’m gonna turn that Xbox one back on to enjoy Forza Horizon 2 to make the fun out of it.

  • @reallynotmuffin
    @reallynotmuffin Před 19 dny +6

    the first time i ever played Forza in general was FH2 on the 360, yes, ik, it wasnt fh2 on the xbox one, but it was my parents could afford and damn, this brings back hella memories. Great video like always

    • @Lil_G8_MAN
      @Lil_G8_MAN Před 17 dny

      same, but i got it on the xbox one in like 2017 to 8 year old me it was pure gold and i loved it

  • @jacobrev6567
    @jacobrev6567 Před 20 dny +9

    Yay Ultra Violet is back for more racing documentary

  • @etherealmetalrecords9889

    Forza Horizon 1 and 2 were absolute peak racing games of all time. For me personally, the vibe was never the same or as strong as those first two. They felt alive, rich in atmosphere. They got everything right. 1 and 2 are the type of games that make me wanna go back to the exact times they came out.

  • @wydua2049
    @wydua2049 Před 20 dny +5

    I played this game this year for the first time in my life and i fell in love. I swear the car ferry is just like the thing i ecountered irl and basically this whole game feels like vacation, the place, the realistic but stylized graphics, the music. And it just plays so good. Going from place to place and planning the trips in a way to travel along the cliffside is so amazing. I just love this game so much, and i cried while playin it. As a fh1 lover, this became my new fav. And although there are some annoying details, both in presentation (i look at you lack of droplets on the lens during the rain) and in game structure. I think it is amazing. And the race cycle is kinda fun to do, you stick to one car for a bit and then try another, instead of being spammed with vehicles you would never drive anyways. In fh2 i have driven every single car i own, maybe besides 2 or 3 from wheelspins that i missed.

    • @wydua2049
      @wydua2049 Před 19 dny

      also just checked quickly, the event i saw was onelife rally boarding the ferry to go from orebič to korčula in 2020

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +1

      I had a similar experience where I played FH2 after FH3 and FH4 and it never felt outdated to me.

    • @wydua2049
      @wydua2049 Před 19 dny

      @@zerotofifty oh true. I actually played every other horizon game before fh2.
      I just didn't have Xbox one up until this year

  • @zerotofifty
    @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +7

    FH2 is without a doubt one of my favourite driving games of all time and it's always nice to see more people enjoying it. That being said, I think there are a few minor details that could've made it even better :
    -Horizon Finale is simply impossible to replay once you win it the 2nd time. Did they somehow think that not being able to replay the race would make the 2 times you won it more memorable because the only other explanation was forcing people to play online as it was available in online freeroam?
    -Once again, there are no drag races in singleplayer and the only MP drag race is the airport one. This such a shame because there were some amazing spots to do drag racing such as the highway or the straight in Nice.
    -This game is responsible for the downgrade in campaign and progression. Wheelspins were introduced in this game making RNG a huge factor for one's progression. As you've pointed out, mid-game story was completely lacking and post-game content is infinitely repetitive. FH1 also had a 2nd free DLC called 1000 Club and they were basically like accolades but for each car and it could've easily been improved for FH2 but instead they completely removed this part of the game.
    -Porsche Expansion (another thing you didn't mention) was a weak 3rd expansion compared to what we got in FH3 and Storm Mountain expansion map was copy pasted from a northern-east section of the map. You can even search "fh2 expansion copy paste" on google to confirm it yourself.
    -There are no tools to make custom championships or even custom races so you have to do the entire roadtrip just to replay your favourite race.
    -They removed custom lobbies and race modes like cat and mouse and replaced it with road trips. While those road trips were pretty fun, drifting during races was incentived as it gave you XP (The one with most XP won the championship) which turned some races into a complete joke. We had to wait until FH4 to get proper online races.

  • @lithium444
    @lithium444 Před 11 dny +1

    I still remember buying a Toyota MR2 and turning it into a fake Ferrari F40, and went completely overboard plastering novelty stickers all over the rear bumper and brought it to random car meets

  • @sm00thgames63
    @sm00thgames63 Před 10 dny +2

    I love you for mentioning how driving a completely stock car has lost any meaning in new horizon games.

  • @Tar-Numendil
    @Tar-Numendil Před 14 dny +2

    Forza Horizon 3 is the reason I switched from PlayStation to Xbox. I wish I could buy and play FH3 again, and I wish that I could experience FH2 and 1.

  • @laurencewhite3615
    @laurencewhite3615 Před 19 dny +1

    Great video man! This got me so nostalgic for FH2, I'd love to see you tackle FH3

  • @mjbakedbeans
    @mjbakedbeans Před 19 dny +4

    The one thing fh2 did best was making every road meaningful. The problem with fh5 and fh4 is that you can literally drive anywhere to get across the map. It’s nice to have a map where you can go anywhere but it loses the aspect of driving.

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +3

      Finally someone else pointing this out. I thought I was going crazy with how nobody mentions the removal of proper driving roads in racing games like Red Rock road in FH1, Eagle Crest Road in HP 2010 and the Coastal Road in FH2.

  • @ApoloOpressor
    @ApoloOpressor Před 15 dny +2

    Turn 10 and Microsoft should make a port of this game for PC

  • @Speed_Monger
    @Speed_Monger Před 19 dny

    That damn dead pixel @30:21 gave me a real good scare. Great video!

  • @TheHumanBurger
    @TheHumanBurger Před 16 dny +1

    I would love to see a Horizon 3 retrospective!

  • @digitalgulby
    @digitalgulby Před 16 dny +2

    It’s always been my favorite one. Great fun without all of the unnecessary junk. This one is just pure fun.

    • @ultraviolet_channel
      @ultraviolet_channel  Před 16 dny +2

      Glad you enjoy it!

    • @digitalgulby
      @digitalgulby Před 16 dny

      @@ultraviolet_channel you made a great video here. I agree that the handling & dynamics of the cars was much better in FH2. For a game most people play with a controller they did an amazing job creating an “at the edge of grip” experience. And you are so right about playing the cars in stock form, still just as fun. I have fond memories of playing this game in my man cave with the surround sound cranked and difficulty set way up, and having so much fun. Thanks for making this video, it validated what I’ve thought for years!

  • @Overload2003x
    @Overload2003x Před 15 dny

    Great video! I was in a shitty moment at my life but this game kept me busy for a while, it was one of if not the only reason to buy an xbox one back in the day, i have some really good memories with this game and now i really want to replay it.

  • @tonkofwisdom3788
    @tonkofwisdom3788 Před 15 dny

    I would make a long post about my love for this game but I’ll say this; your mention of how this game is like being on a rally is spot on. I think that’s the best way to explain this game. There’s no other game I’ve played that has matched the feel this game exudes.
    Also that highway? One of few highways that I’ve seen in a racing that game actually functions as a “fast travel” method than it is a set piece. It wasn’t just placed there, it held an actual function that not many games get to show off

  • @greybound362
    @greybound362 Před 19 dny +1

    Finally, it's here! This game and its ff car pack has some great old memories with itself,
    Amazing video moses, now im waiting for a forza horizon 3 review & how it was a sequel that took 2 steps forward, but down a shallow hill.

  • @solescorpionofficial
    @solescorpionofficial Před 19 dny +2

    Hearing and experiencing that intro to FH2 when I was younger w/my new Xbox 360E made me scared that I got the wrong game or disk, or that I got hacked LMAO! Gladly, it was anything *but* that, so much more 💙

  • @syaieya
    @syaieya Před 10 dny +2

    Forza Horizon 2 was the last time I felt a racing game was catering to the player. So much of modern game design, especially in Forza, tries to frame the world opening up as you're there as someone special and it's by your command that we shall make this thing happen.
    And honestly, that just sounds like work to me.
    I want to be apart of the culture, enjoying the music and the ambiance. 2 felt like participating in a Rally going across the south of europe and it got it's vibe down right.
    And that point about newer forzas bending the knee to the performance index overlord needs to be said louder. The game can adapt and make computers relative without showing all the numbers. I see a car I want to drive, we can let the game fill in the grid with cars that would seem reasonable to go against even if you gotta throw in a few sandbags to get that number up.

    • @benn8793
      @benn8793 Před 7 dny

      The newer Forzas leave far too much to the imagination of the players. Instead of providing immersion, they just give you a huge sandbox and leave the rest to the player.

  • @6lack5ushi
    @6lack5ushi Před 10 dny +1

    IF ZELDA BOTW WAS A RACING GAME!!!
    -BEAUTIFUL JUST TO LOOK AT!!!
    -BARN YARD FINDS
    -SHOWCASES
    -EPIC DLC'S
    -AUCTIONS
    -BUCKET LISTS
    -FESTIVAL MUSIC!!!
    -BEFORE YOU EVEN GET INTO RACING.
    -WEEKLY RACING CHALLENGES FOR CARS
    -MAN THEY HAD THE CURE TO INFINITE MONEY
    -A NEVER ENDING LIST OF CARS
    I REMEMBER PLAYING THIS GAME RELIGIOUSLY AFTER FINISHING THE GAME ALMOST 100%, SELLING CARS, CHALLENGES, EVEN BASHING BOARDS WAS FUN!
    THIS VID JERKED SOME TEARS

    • @polycube868
      @polycube868 Před 7 dny

      Great analogy! BOTW is an amazing game!

  • @-MaskNinja-
    @-MaskNinja- Před 10 dny +1

    Yes, yes yes! This is the only Horizon I want now I have all the others. You're right - this was the biggest leap because of the 360-One transition. Besides a proper DJ organised the tracks.

    • @polycube868
      @polycube868 Před 7 dny +1

      I just got it and I'm loving it so far!

  • @marathon3073
    @marathon3073 Před 20 dny

    Bro absolutely amazing video. I love these kind of videos. An in-depth look at something you and your viewers are passionate about, voicing the great parts of older Forza games and taking me on a trip down memory lane. One on FH3 would be super. Thanks for the great video again man.

  • @RazgovorIsDialog
    @RazgovorIsDialog Před 13 dny +1

    "Drive the Huracan to the festival"

  • @DavidsSanity
    @DavidsSanity Před 17 dny +1

    Made a good friend on this game back then sadly he’s not as active

  • @Lil_G8_MAN
    @Lil_G8_MAN Před 17 dny +1

    Best Forza game (i'm biased cuz i am Italian) but i still enjoy this game to this day, it was my childhood and one of my favorite games of all time cant wait for Forza horizon 6!!!!!

  • @benn8793
    @benn8793 Před 19 dny

    Well put together. As always. Horizon 2 was my introduction to the series. I was hooked right from the start. Horizon 2 offered me practically everything that I was missing from the other racing games at the time. A beautiful open world, good combat, a good driving experience...
    After that, the series started to fall apart for me. I still loved Horizon 3 very much. Not least because of the beautiful Australia map and the fact that it was the first game in the series on the PC. But unfortunately that's where the problems started. More focus on multiplayer, playlists etc. All things that were heavily expanded in the subsequent instalments.

  • @polycube868
    @polycube868 Před 7 dny

    Hey I hear DKC 2 music! Great choice!

  • @ForzaMemories
    @ForzaMemories Před 17 dny +1

    As somebody who has played every single Forza game, you were 100% spot on. Horizon 2 had every aspect of an awesome racing game. A beautiful map, an extensive story mode, good OST, amazing multiplayer modes, and awesome car sounds. The game was just magnificent.

    • @mick2287
      @mick2287 Před 17 dny +1

      Not every aspect; the campaign/career is very unbalanced and dissatisfying. But that applies to the whole series, not just FH2 to be fair.

  • @gameswithamy6711
    @gameswithamy6711 Před 19 dny +1

    Not being able to get the XBOX One immediately; I, at first, was disappointed with the 360 version. But the day I was able to upgrade onto the One, there was so much more to the world.

  • @jamesheller9185
    @jamesheller9185 Před 19 dny +1

    can someone tell me why Horizon 2 character animations were so lifelike than the absolute uncanny valley Horizon 5 animations . I mean the humans look like theyre made of clay from 3 to afterwards

  • @stevenmoinian5511
    @stevenmoinian5511 Před 20 dny

    I once played a demo of this game and I was blown away by how good it looked and played! I really wish I get to play this game completely one day

  • @ohotnx7089
    @ohotnx7089 Před 19 dny

    Forza Horizon 2 was also my first horizon game and kinda got me hooked on cars in general.
    I remember FH2 had a server browser feature and I would always join a drag racing lobby. I still very clearly remember the strip of road that was used. It was next a festival outpost (or whatever they were called back then) and had a very clear line where it changed from older to newer tarmac. No game chat no nothing, people would get into cars, line up, 1 person would act as the countdown light (3 red lights and you go on the reverse light of the countdown car) and ppl would just drag race. It was so awesome. No words exchanged, no real prize, just pure love of cars and racing. Man I wish I could go back and play it...

  • @AN-kb4kh
    @AN-kb4kh Před 19 dny +2

    Would love to see your take on fh3 as well

  • @Janowski17
    @Janowski17 Před 18 dny +1

    Fh2 was my first game ever. I had this little demo on dad’s xbox. I played it around 50 times. Finally someday I decided to buy this masterpiece. Spent hours enjoying cars, music, and the beauty of the map. Every trip, every cutscene. Game had a unique game style. Only thing I could complain was the lack of things to do after second final. They could add more of them. I dont like the way this game serie is going.

  • @kishel7
    @kishel7 Před 17 dny +1

    Sometimes I really wish microsoft to go broke. Not because I hate them (even if I do), but to kick their ass to make products for people, rather than profit

  • @AgeraRS750
    @AgeraRS750 Před 16 dny

    this was epic. I grew up on fh3 which would be nice to see you review! I gave away my xbox one s to my one of my friends who didn't have a console when I traded up for the Series S. Thus, losing the ability to play it. My point is, it's sad I can't play it anymore but it gave me fantastic memories and was a truly beautiful game. But I look back fondly, as I am grateful to have even played it rather than not at all.

  • @Sakurubii
    @Sakurubii Před 19 dny

    The game that brung me over to the horizon series as a whole and what started it all for me on Xbox One

  • @tomasburian6550
    @tomasburian6550 Před 19 dny +2

    Horizon 2 wasn't the first game of its kind. But it definitely marked the direction for the series. FH3 still got me kind of excited but with FH4 I knew that same feeling would be forever lost. They are just unable to keep the same spark that ignited it all.

  • @purplex_purple7717
    @purplex_purple7717 Před 19 dny +2

    The dialog and vibe was so natural. I hate how they try to recreate it now and other games a well. The feel good vibe and “funny” and “relatable” dialog is SOOO forced. All open world racing games are trying to follow the same path and it really takes the enjoyment of buying another new title.

    • @simeonyves5940
      @simeonyves5940 Před 19 dny

      They have to follow that Path, because its the only way to get the Car Companies to License nowadays, as more and more Car Companies are now Mandating an ESRB E/PEGI 3 Rating and NO Street Racing In their Licensing Deals in order to protect their Corporate Images in the Middle and Far East.

  • @euchariahwho
    @euchariahwho Před 19 dny

    I remember waking up one day and launching the game without checking online, then seeing the 918 logo on the loading screen and freaking out. That was still the most excited I’ve ever been for a Forza DLC

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +1

      Yeah, it's kinda weird how he didn't mention the Porsche Expansion.

  • @Samurix16
    @Samurix16 Před 17 dny +1

    My favorite racing game.

  • @jaredo444
    @jaredo444 Před 18 dny +1

    Think NIKE's slogan when deciding if you want to do a video on Horizon 3 lol

  • @Stabb3dByAJAX
    @Stabb3dByAJAX Před 16 dny

    I’ll never forget how excited I was for horizon 2

  • @Synthyus
    @Synthyus Před 19 dny

    I remember hearing about FH2 for the first time so clearly. I was in 7th grade and had gotten my 360 a year prior and played FH1 3 times over, I was in an Xbox live party when my buddy told me that they just dropped the FH2 trailer, I couldn’t believe it. I thought he was lying until I saw it for my own eyes… that intro song in the reveal trailer still gives me chills

  • @Diamond-um6mg
    @Diamond-um6mg Před 19 dny

    For the longest time, horizon 2 was the only installment in the series that I haven’t played (for many reasons, including being delisted) until some years back when I had a used copy of the game imported. Playing it for the first time back then I was amazed at how not only did it hold up to the latest game in the series (which, at the time, was horizon 4) but exceeded it in so many ways. Even compared to the latest horizon 5, it still exceeds it in so many ways. I loved horizon 2, and though it became a bit repetitive towards the end (to be fair, I did binge the whole game in like a week), it quickly became one of my favorites in the series. This game is 10 years old yet it barely looks or feels two years old. I only wish I could play the DLCs so I can experience them.
    I’d love to see you tackle horizon 3 with similar depth since it’s tied up there with the first Horizon as my favorite game in the series.

  • @The_Graze
    @The_Graze Před 19 dny

    That game has captured such a vibe especially in the map, truly the peak of the horizon series. Such a shame it hasn’t been made available for pc cause I really miss driving that coast side road :’(

  • @franchiny1229
    @franchiny1229 Před 19 dny +1

    This was a great video highlighting the importance of Horizon 2 as one of the best the Racing video game genre has ever seen. Wish We'd get a 4k 60fps patch like the first Horizon game.

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +1

      Before anyone says it's licenses, FH1 received its 4K patch when the game was already delisted.

  • @chazhartwayne6493
    @chazhartwayne6493 Před 16 dny +2

    we need a PC port for this game! Oh and while we are at it, one for FH1, too

  • @eversonalmeida9866
    @eversonalmeida9866 Před 15 dny +1

    I 'd pay whatever they asked for a remastered pc version of this game.

  • @Rascal4269
    @Rascal4269 Před 18 dny +1

    100% the best forza horizon game and also my first horizon game.

  • @minenotyours7789
    @minenotyours7789 Před 18 dny +1

    No way this game is ten years old! One of the best racing games ever produced

  • @Kappo288
    @Kappo288 Před 18 dny

    Horizon 2 have best lightning of all Forzas. I always loved how it looks graphicly.

  • @The.Magyar
    @The.Magyar Před 19 dny +1

    Horizon 2 was also my first forza game, however I played on the heavily criticised 360 version. Even so I couldn’t really see the differences in the gameplay, and now I’m sure to get the Xbox one version to replay it all over again.

  • @taquito1561
    @taquito1561 Před 19 dny

    I haven't watched the video but I want to give my opinion on the game before doing so:
    I started this game about a month ago after really wanting to play it for a long time (I had only played the 360 demo 💀), and it not only met my expectations, it succeeded them. Coming from replaying Horizon 1 after a decade, it truly felt like everything a sequel should be, and it works so well as a transition between FH1's solid structure and the more freedom-oriented future games, making it in my opinion the best balance of both worlds.
    Not to mention the absolute banging soundtrack, most gorgeous visuals in the franchise to this date and overall amazing vibes.
    For now, it's my favorite Horizon game (but I haven't played 3 so we'll see)

  • @amazanta1605
    @amazanta1605 Před 19 dny

    I will never forget the motorway in this game played 360 and Xbox one’s version as well it was insane when playground cared it showed

  • @akiplay312
    @akiplay312 Před 20 dny

    Best lighting I've ever seen in a video game right next to the drive club. Horizon 2 is just a technological open world masterpiece in my opinion especially for its time (if only it had a bit bigger render distance. Idk if it's noticeable while you play it but on videos u can notice it). The map is just so detailed , the car models still hold up very well , great car sounds. The thing that stood out the most to me is the rain in this game and the whole dynamic weather system it had. Despite it being the first introduction into the franchise it is still the best.
    Everything just felt really polished and realistic.
    Also Storm Island looks insane with it's storm weather.....
    Soundtrack list is amazing.
    I wanna play it so bad , shame that i don't have a xbox one.

  • @jjtails
    @jjtails Před 19 dny +1

    Forza Horizon 3 was my first Forza game so I have my bias around it but I Played FH2 years later and can understand what this game means so much to people the first 3 Horizon games just hit in the right parts of what a racing games mean. FH5 was close but it still missing those vibes

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +1

      As a PC player I had a similar experience where I played FH3 and FH4 first before buying a Series X and playing FH2.
      Then I played FH5 via gamepass when it launched and the last game I played was Horizon 1 when it was (accidentally) relisted for a very short time.
      Today, I have them all installed on my Series X and use Quick Resume to compare a car between different games every now and then.

  • @yeetifyrs_
    @yeetifyrs_ Před 11 dny

    I would donate organs if it meant I could purchase Horizon 2 in its entirety today. It's so beautiful and something I never got to experience, having played the Xbox 360 edition.

  • @YoungArty
    @YoungArty Před 20 dny +2

    I never clicked so fast on a video!

  • @rascallymanx8947
    @rascallymanx8947 Před 20 dny

    After 10 years of only getting to play Forza Motorsport 1 on Mt Grandparents' origin Xbox, they and my parents surprised me on my birthday with an Xbox One and a copy of Forza Horizon 2, my entry point to modern gaming as a whole. I absolutely adore this game.

  • @VanillaSpooks
    @VanillaSpooks Před 20 dny +6

    Remember when sequels improved on the previous game?

    • @koolkid9119
      @koolkid9119 Před 19 dny

      I'd actually argue that up until fh4 the games we're actually improving sufficiently for the time periods they had in between to develop the games. I do agree the series suffers from a lack of innovation but I also feel fh3 while retaining the same core felt significantly different for a game coming out 2 years after.

    • @koolkid9119
      @koolkid9119 Před 19 dny +1

      Up until fh5 I mean, fh4 did quite a lot as well even if it messed up in a lot of areas

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +4

      @@koolkid9119 FH4 had the best online experience after the first year. People conveniently forget how FH3's online adventures were a complete mess.

    • @horvathr95
      @horvathr95 Před 19 dny +1

      They always improve, you just have your nostalgia glasses on! Do you have eventlab for example in FH2? Eliminator? Ofc you could say that they still lacking innovation, and with that one i would even agree

    • @VanillaSpooks
      @VanillaSpooks Před 19 dny

      @@horvathr95 bro I didn’t play FH2 when it came out, zero nostalgia for it

  • @teengamer7
    @teengamer7 Před 17 dny

    The goat has posted agaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaainnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn 🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥

  • @Ryzza5
    @Ryzza5 Před 19 dny +1

    The avatars in this game look better than those in The Crew Motorfest and Solar Crown

    • @ld9387
      @ld9387 Před 19 dny

      Test Drive developers don't have Microsoft money

  • @LegandLink01
    @LegandLink01 Před 16 dny

    Sayyy you wanna run away 🎶🎶

  • @jarrodhull1880
    @jarrodhull1880 Před 19 dny +1

    Please do a Horizon 3 Retrospective

  • @mdaddy9474
    @mdaddy9474 Před 14 dny +1

    Perfect game. Five Stars. 10/10

  • @kexcz8276
    @kexcz8276 Před 16 dny

    Well, we've had discussed this with crew many times, and agreed on this- Forza Horizon is Fun, because of the freedom you have, yet it could be better, and also, there could be eventually far better games that are not afraid of experimenting with some arcade stuff, such as nitro, abilities, certain race modes, etc... I mean, Asphalt Xtreme, Onrush, Motorstorm etc... rhose games all have vibes, yet are locked. If you combined forza with such genre, I think it could be even better...

  • @Hexzi
    @Hexzi Před 19 dny +1

    Maybe it's nostalgia bias but horizon 1 and 2 will always be the best. I played 3, 4 and 5, each less and less however. I'm a sucker for progression and in the newer horizons you end up with ferraris and lambos in your garage after less than an hour. I remember playing for hours and hours with my mates from school doing 50 lap races for the cash and XP in horizon 2 because the cars were fun, the tracks were fun, the whole experience was fun. And we'd do that purely so we could have enough money to do a bunch of car challenges vs each other. It all felt earned.

    • @ld9387
      @ld9387 Před 19 dny +1

      It's not nostalgia bias. Those games are still fun to play today

    • @benn8793
      @benn8793 Před 19 dny

      I feel the same way. I need progression in my games, something I can work towards. I get absolutely no pleasure from always having everything thrown at me from the start. Why the hell should I play if I already have everything? But that's exactly what the masses seem to love. Look at the success of Horizon 5. That's why I don't think we'll ever get anything like Horizon 1 or 2, or even at least 3 again...

  • @thatothercarguy8914
    @thatothercarguy8914 Před 20 dny

    FH2 was my introduction to console gaming, fell in love instantly even on the xbox 360 version. Can't hold a candle to the XB1 version but the memories of grinding the terrible version of the Goliath in a veyron was so good despite all the glitches and having to get the disk polished from the stupid reader on the 360 that scratched the disk every time you played, just bliss. Have got halfway through fh2 on xb1 but sadly missed out on all the DLCs when they were taken down.

  • @MonsieurWaffle
    @MonsieurWaffle Před 12 dny +1

    Forza Horizon is the reason I’m an Xbox fan.

  • @DampNoodles
    @DampNoodles Před 18 dny

    I can't believe it's already been ten years. This is absolutely the best horizon. Right in that Goldy locks zone. Although, being a native Coloradoan, horizon one will always be my personal favorite. I grew up 10 minutes away from the real Red Rocks.

  • @keaton52257
    @keaton52257 Před 19 dny

    This was my first Forza game, changed my life forever.

  • @featherpheasant3851
    @featherpheasant3851 Před 19 dny

    I’ve noticed some of the garage footage was taken from Horizon 1 but had much better graphics?
    I really enjoyed this video, I recently completed this game and it’s a great fun play

    • @zerotofifty
      @zerotofifty Před 19 dny +1

      Forza Horizon 1 runs at 4K while FH2 never received a 4K patch so it's in 1080P.

    • @featherpheasant3851
      @featherpheasant3851 Před 19 dny

      Did it have a new background for the garage? Or is it another clip from FH2 at 5:55

  • @JDT2309
    @JDT2309 Před 19 dny

    I feel that, more often than not, this game doesn’t get the credit it deserves. With no 4K update or server support it makes me curious as to why the devs turned a blind eye to this masterpiece. Great analysis as always 🙏
    I also love your points about art style and it’s something I couldn’t agree with more. These games with stylistic graphics are able to still look absolutely incredible YEARS after their release. FH2 did an incredible job at being one cohesive type of vibe and really making it feel like summer.

  • @Lav_TheWardenX
    @Lav_TheWardenX Před 6 dny +1

    FM4 and FH2 were the best n i will die on that hill

  • @dawiekaboutereen
    @dawiekaboutereen Před 14 dny

    This game was epic, and then Horizon3 came along and took the game to its pinnacle. It is a shame that you cannot buy the DLC for H3 anymore.

  • @derimeri21
    @derimeri21 Před 20 dny

    Thankfully atleast Horizon 1 is starting to get emulated so that it isn't lost to time. In time Horizon 2 might get same treatment aswell, it just that it has to be done like this, but what you gonna do.
    I'm so sad that I never got to play FH1 and 2. I have 3, but not the Hot Wheels DLC for it.
    Anyway great vid. And it is vids like these that make me crave for better racing games. Since it has been done, we know good racing games can be done.

  • @OrangeFlame1
    @OrangeFlame1 Před 16 dny +2

    Seeing the footage go back and forth between FH2 and 5, you can really see how UGLY fh5 is compared to 2

  • @simeonyves5940
    @simeonyves5940 Před 19 dny +1

    They basically had to cut the Narrative for FH2.
    Microsoft wanted more Sales, and that meant lowering the Age Rating to a Target PEGI 3 (which it met) /ESRB E (which it failed to meet, getting an E-10 for a reason I Personally cannot Fathom, maybe some of the Female Character Designs?, or Possibly some of the Music?) and given the Story was the core Reason for FH1 getting Rated 12/T (and bare in mind that, nowadays, as of 2024, the Cutscene with Hailey Harper is grounds for an 18 Rating under the new Post 2018 PEGI Rules which are far Stricter than the ones of 2012, although it would still be a T from the ESRB), it had to be Dropped, or they would not get the Lower Age Rating that Microsoft was Requesting (and now literally Demands, all Future Forza Games, post 2019, now have to be Rated PEGI 3/ESRB E under Microsoft's "Forza Safe Space" Corporate Policy, which, unfortunately, could well render it Impossible to ever have a Story in a Horizon Game again without a Professional (and very expensive) Screenwriter who can balance the needs of a Proper Story with the Extremely Strict Nature of the PEGI 3 and ESRB E Ratings, Especially the PEGI 3 Rating which is Government Controlled (as the European PEGI Rating System is controlled by the Video Standards Agency, which is a British Government Department!) and thus is always going to be far Stricter! they really do need to bring back a Narrative if they can do so however, as this Live Services FOMO Chore Chart Direction that Mike Brown went down with FH4/5 just is not Working as it has turned the Game into a Job! They need to go back to a Long, Proper, Single Player Campaign as part of a Game that is pretty much 90% Complete at Launch Minus a Year or So of New Cars in DLC and maybe a Small, Sensible, Expansion, so the Player can drop in and out at their own Pace again, and that needs a Narrative so long as they can do one under the Age Rating Restrictions) so they had to drop the Story, or Microsoft may well have cancelled the Game outright as it would not have met their Requests for a lower Age Rating...
    As we can see, the few Story based Racers still left today often tend to be Rated quite a bit above 3/E, DiRT 5 got a 12 (but IMO should have been a 3, as reflected in its US ESRB E Rating, it was GRiD Legends that should have been the 12 Rating IMO, yet it got a 3 in the UK despite, IMO, being far too Intense (Calum McGowan's chillingly Unhinged Performance as the Downright Psychotic Nathan McKane) and Violent (Nathan's literal Attempted Murder of Yumi, and his attempt to pull a Gun (he was going for the small of his back.. that invariably means Gun!) on Doctor Who during their fight in the Pitlane, etc) in some of its Cutscenes for that Rating, yet was a much more accurate T in the US), NFS has, and correctly So IMO, gone as high as 16/M in Recent Years (and IMO, Unbound is vastly under-Rated at a 12/T, with that much Profanity, Blasphemy and Illegality it really should be an 18/M IMO), The Crew, despite being toned down into a much Happier Festival Racer from its Dark and Gritty "NFS Underground meets CSI" Roots on the Request of the Car Companies, still, sadly, suffers with a lot of downright unnecessary Profanity and Blasphemy in its Dialogue, which is part of the "Story", and thus remains a Justified 12/T, so, Story just had to be Binned for FH2 to be able to Exist really due to Microsoft wanting a lower Age Rating for more Sales. It is what it is.
    Note: Horizon 1's Ending really was an Ending for the Player Character in that Game, as heard with the Sickening Smashing of Metal, and seen with the Scorched Tire Marks on the Road, and the Smoking, utterly Destroyed, Ferrari slammed into the Central Reservation Barrier and "Censor blurred" at the End of the Credits! Fan Theory is that Darius Sabotaged the Ferrari's Brakes causing the Player Character to suffer the Horror Crash seen at the end of the Credits that, given the Car was basically Annihilated, at best would have cost them a Limb and at worst would have Killed them Instantly. Yes, FH1 could Possibly have a "the Hero Dies" ending of the Kind that was just so Popular back then, with Darius in Jail for anything from causing Injury through Misadventure, to Manslaughter (which would certainly explain why we did not see him again for 10 years and why he was so "Rusty" and clearly lacking in his old Skill when he returned for that One Race in FH5! he was in the Nick during that Time Gap!) and the new Champion at best Severely Injured, and at worst, Dead! there did need to be a "Passing of the Torch", so FH2's Ending, as the "Passing of that Torch" to FH2 Player , who then passed over to "Boss" in FH3 and then "Superstar" in FH4, who Returns in FH5 (it is meant to be the same Character in both Games) is actually Appropriate, as the Torch needed to be Passed.
    Maybe they need to have FH1 Player Return as a Friend/Mentor for the New Player Character in FH6 (If they can bring a Narrative back of course), now 12 Years (or more) Older, Married to Allison, with Children in tow...and with him walking with a very Notable Limp due to a Prosthetic Left Leg as a result of the End of FH1, it would fit within a PEGI 3/ESRB E Rating, and Explain what happened to him. "The Hero Dies" would not fit the Microsoft Mandated Age Ratings, but PGG do need to give us Closure some how if they can! We know that Torben (the New Creative Director) clearly wants the old Characters back, what with both Dak (FH1) and Ashleigh (FH2, and now Confirmed as Dak's Niece!) getting mentioned by Several Characters in FH5 in Recent Updates, as well as Darius's Cameo.. it could be interesting IMO if they can work out how to bring back a Narrative while Still meeting the Extremely Strict Age Rating Requirements that Microsoft has placed on the Game.

  • @Snarky_Queen
    @Snarky_Queen Před 20 dny +1

    Too bad horizon 2 servers were shut down before its 10th anniversary... Would've loved to play an online road trip one last time. For sure, do a video on Horizon 3. It's my personal favorite.

  • @uncleham8984
    @uncleham8984 Před 19 dny +1

    Reminder they made a better F&F game as an expansion better than full made F&F games

  • @user-lr2cs6hg5o
    @user-lr2cs6hg5o Před 14 dny +1

    Too bad that never reached the Xbox One versión for PC, it's unplayable now

  • @DragonFruitYTUK
    @DragonFruitYTUK Před 18 dny

    Motysport 5 was my first forza game

  • @HYDRARMOR
    @HYDRARMOR Před 20 dny

    Sure, Horizon 3 next!
    ty for the video :)

  • @VanillaSpooks
    @VanillaSpooks Před 19 dny

    Moses, what do you think of the demo of TDU3, I’m pretty disappointed but I hope they can get it together before release cause yikes.

  • @koshidostrat
    @koshidostrat Před 19 dny

    At the time of FH3's demo, I was starting to come back into racing games. While I never did get to play FH3, and is still looking for the chance to, I did get FH2 for free with a gold membership. I think I got lucky with that. I have to thank FH2 for bringing me back into racing games. Without that game, I don't think I would have gotten back into my love of racing games or cars as I did when I was a child.