'Forza Horizon'

Microsoft

Microsoft Xbox 360

$59.99

ESRB rating: Teen

Review rating: 4.0 stars

I'm not a big fan of racing simulations, mostly because I prefer slamming the virtual pedal to the metal more than slamming on the brakes. So imagine my surprise at being able to skid around corners in open-road races while playing the newly released "Forza Horizon," a series known for hardcore sim races on closed circuits.

This fun game may not have a brand new engine, but there has definitely been some tweaking under the hood. For starters, "Forza Horizon" has an actual storyline that takes place in a romanticized version of Colorado where the gorgeous backgrounds shine as much as the fancy paint jobs on each vehicle! Hundreds of promising drivers flock to the honorable Horizon Festival in an attempt to achieve fame, and players assume the role of one of these gearheads.

In addition to traditional closed linear races, where walls on each side evoke feelings of claustrophobia, there are open point-to-point races that are much more enjoyable. It's extremely thrilling to dodge oncoming traffic and skid around turns at high speeds while the sun sets in the background. I also love the endurance runs that pit players against rival drivers as well as varying terrain.

However, my favorite racing mode takes a cue from the "Burnout" series and lets drivers challenge other drivers in impromptu races. Another fun aspect is the real-time feedback system that rewards not only skilled driving but also dangerous driving like narrowly avoiding pedestrian traffic and catching air!

Unlike arcade racers, the vehicle handling in this game requires a certain attention to detail to avoid skidding out or crashing. Don't expect to jump right into races and bounce off of walls and other cars in an attempt to "pinball" your way to victory. Turning on all of the driving aids won't ensure that you keep the car on the road, but it is a nice option for those that want to lessen the difficulty.

"Forza Horizon" promotes fun over realism and is a welcome departure from the serious aspect of racing

'Spy Hunter'

Warner Bros. Interactive

PS Vita (Nintendo 3DS)

$39.99

ESRB rating: Everyone

Review rating: 3.0 stars

"Spy Hunter" was one of the first video games that I played over and over again, but the 2001 remake was a huge disappointment. Now that Midway is no more, Warner Bros. has taken the reigns for a second attempt at a remake. Although the new "Spy Hunter" is true to its roots and fun to play, low production values and mediocre visuals make it difficult to ... err ... handle for modern gamers.

No storyline was present in the original 1983 version, and the only goal was to destroy enemies before being destroyed. While the goal hasn't changed much, the new version casts players as a nameless spy testing out a prototype high-caliber vehicle called the Interceptor that's armed to the grill. During the test drive, an evil crew with inferior vehicles crashes the party and carnage ensues!

It comes as no surprise that the G-6155 Interceptor is the epitome of vehicles. The ability to transform into a boat and carve through water combined with mounted weapons like machine guns, missiles, and flamethrowers gives it a huge advantage over "ordinary" spy cars. I really like the ability to have four weapons active at the same time because it adds even more destruction and increases the already blistering pace.

Another cool feature is the health system that relies on the same miniature reactor cores that power the Interceptor. Six reactor cores are active at the beginning of each level, and they regenerate 'armor' when not in combat. However, reactor cores are disabled when they are destroyed, so paying attention to the 'health' of the Interceptor is required.

While the control scheme is user-friendly, I found myself fishtailing too easily when making minor turns. In addition, the visuals look archaic for a high-definition handheld device, which can be detrimental in such a fast-paced game.

Old-school gamers will appreciate the nostalgia of "Spy Hunter," but I doubt if the game will attract new fans to the series.