Genre: Racing
Developer: Turn 10 Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

With an already more than capable Forza 2 graphics engine that could generate astounding imagery, Turn 10, like a team of top suspension engineers, took to the task of tweaking, tightening, and squeezing the lemon to produce an engine capable of even more detailed car models, sophisticated lighting, and, most notably, significantly more track detail.

Recorded engine, tire, and track sounds are all par the course in racing video games today, in large part due to this title's predecessor, Forza Motorsport 2. This third iteration of the series maintains the status quo in invariably pleasing ways, and, also like its predecessor, treats its participants to yet another harebrained soundtrack with songs that are difficult to classify into well-defined genres.

Those that enjoyed the second game in the series to its maximum extent will probably feel that this title is a little "same-ish". That is until these returning players try out the two most significant additions in this iteration of the series: the newly-added cockpit view, and the addition of a clutch pedal button. When used in conjunction, these two features add a layer of freshness and realism to the fiendishly accurate physics engine and excellent selection of real-world tracks.

Forza 2 redefined the simulation racer genre through its cleverly paced career mode and its full utilization of this generation's hardware and network features. While its sequel does not produce a similar watershed moment, it is the more complete and balanced game; additions of key tracks such as Le Mans, the aforementioned cockpit view and clutch pedal button, a wider array of cars, new race types, an addicting calendar-based career mode, and improved accuracy with regards to rear-wheel drive physics make for the finest simulation racing game to date. Forza 3 even nods to today's obligatory "user friendly accessibility" trends via Wii-like, clean menus, and an in-race rewind feature.