So instead of the endless hypebotting has anybody found any flaws/criticisms of the game yet? How are the houses and how much variety is there to avatar customisation? Is the structure better than FH3 or is it still kind of aimless?
I have a couple slight criticisms after the
first 3 hours played(demo tutorial, several autumn events, only 1-2 events away from unlocking winter), so granted things could change.
1) AI is either not filling out with drivatar's yet, or is just really weak. It's the typical mindless and robotic line-following in a pack, while your experience is often far removed(either in the lead or behind because of spinouts). I just have fond memories of Forza 3 and 4 on X360 having more unpredictable behavior within the pack that really doesn't exist here. Makes races feel a bit unenthusiastic despite the glorious visuals. They really do just follow a predictable and steady line. Hopefully things adjust though, possibly after the real launch.
2) Progression seems to have shifted from earning gold medals to earning xp. Better race result=more xp=more events unlock. Whether you get last or first doesn't seem to matter. You still get decent rewards(so far). This is fine and gives poor players a leg up to see new content over beating their heads to earn podium on problem events. I suppose the change also makes a lot of the events feel kind of well...unsatisfying? There is little satisfaction to actually getting 1st now. It's not been difficult to do so yet(I am using a wheel though, so it can be easier to spin out than with a controller, thus I have walked away with a few last place ranks), but there is no penalty. The icon fills out with a gold stamp even in those last place cases, and I move on(you could do this in H3 too, but the map icon reminds you that 1st place still awaits). Too early to see how this pans out, but already it is making that urge to win feel kind of unthrilling? I mean beyond adjusting difficulty sliders I suppose... Again, not sure how to feel quite yet about that one.
3) Otherwise there so far is little change from Horizon 1-3. Seasons are nice, but this is largely the same experience. I suppose I like the 'stories' more than the bucket list challenges, although they are largely the same but with improved context.
Oh and the houses are just like festivals(but buying them give passive rewards or gear/wheel spins). The customization on your avatar is fine. Lots of emotes and clothing to win in wheelspins or buy. Some will care I guess.
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Nitpicky stuff, but I do feel some improvements from Horizon 3 so far...(beyond the obvious visuals).
1) You can now change cars instantly. No more driving or warping to a festival/house to do it.
2) Map isn't filled out with those dumb Blueprint events everywhere. Horizon 3 bloated the map with community blueprints on every event. Bucketlist blueprints everywhere...ugh. So far, they haven't shown up on the map outside of actually choosing them in the event themselves.
3) Wheel use feels better. Out of the box settings are actually a bit improved from the weirdness of Horizon 3. Roads have actual grip and better friction. (Often it felt like keeping the car straight was a trial in Horizon 3 without adjustments) Just feels better implemented.
