The Release of Forza Motorsport 6: Apex - A PC Version with a Catch

In an unexpected move, a Forza racing game has made its way to PC, arriving in the form of Forza Motorsport 6: Apex. This free-to-play version of the main game from Xbox One is a compromise on many aspects of the original experience. While it's exciting to see a Forza gamer running on a PC, there are several reasons why this version might not be worth playing for those who have already experienced the full game.

As a novelty, the PC version of Forza Motorsport 6: Apex offers an interesting glimpse into what can be achieved with DirectX-capable hardware. The game takes advantage of unlocked frame rates, 4K resolution, more detailed tracks, and improved lighting effects, making it a treat for those who have the necessary hardware to run it smoothly. However, even on ultra settings, the graphics are not drastically different from the Xbox One version, which ran at 1080p at 60 FPS.

While the graphics may be impressive, the driving model, car selection, and customization options that make Forza Motorsport a beloved series are noticeably absent in Apex. The driving experience is said to be intact, but I couldn't test it with a steering wheel as I don't have one available yet. However, with an Xbox One pad, I was perfectly comfortable, suggesting that the changes made to accommodate keyboard and mouse controls may not be drastic.

One of the most significant drawbacks of Forza Motorsport 6: Apex is its limited car and track selection compared to the main game. With only 63 cars and six track locations to choose from, it's a far cry from the full experience offered by the Xbox One version. While promises have been made for more content in the future, this version feels like a pale imitation of the original.

As a free-to-play game, Apex comes with its own set of challenges, including microtransactions and limitations on how much content can be unlocked. Each new car costs 99 cents to purchase, and there's no word on what tracks might cost yet. The Showcase Tour career mode, which is more of an exercise in earning in-game currency than a proper career path, is the primary means by which players will unlock additional cars and content.

The lack of multiplayer modes, collectible mod cards, and customization options makes Forza Motorsport 6: Apex feel like a stripped-down version of its Xbox One counterpart. While it's understandable that some compromises may be necessary to make the game accessible on PC, these limitations are significant and may deter some players from even giving the game a try.

Despite my initial reservations, I found myself playing Forza Motorsport 6: Apex for an extended period, mainly because of its polished driving experience. However, as soon as I realized that this was a free-to-play version with microtransactions, my enthusiasm began to wane. If you're looking for a genuine Forza experience on PC, it's best to stick with the full game or wait until more content is added in future updates.

The fact that Forza Motorsport 6: Apex is available for free on Windows 10 and the Microsoft Store makes it an attractive option for those who want to try out the series without committing to a purchase. However, be aware that microtransactions will undoubtedly play a significant role in this game's monetization model, which may not sit well with some players.

Overall, while Forza Motorsport 6: Apex offers a unique experience on PC, its limitations and compromises make it feel like a pale imitation of the original Xbox One version. If you're a die-hard Forza fan looking for a genuine experience, you may want to consider waiting until more content is added or purchasing the full game.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enHere's something I neverthought would happen:a Forza racing game on the PC,arriving in the form ofForza Motorsport 6: Apex,or as I like to call it,Forza 6: Compromise.It's a cut-down, free-to-playremix of the main game from Xbox One.That's right! You canplay it at no charge,so long as you don't mindmicrotransactionsand it being tied to Windows 10and the store that comes with it.To some, that alone is a cost too highto even consider this game,but, if you can tolerate makinga deal with the devil, so to speak,then let's dive right into it.Allow me to get thisout of the way first, though,if you've played Forza 6for any length of time,you really don't havemuch reason to play Apex.Other than as a novelty, of course,because just seeing a Forza gamerunning on a PC is neat.It also plays surprisinglywell with a keyboard,with just a few assists turned onto make it a bit more approachable.But there are far fewer cars and tracks,a nearly complete lack ofcustomization options,no multiplayer modes,no collectible mod cards,very few career options,and there's no steering wheel support.Of course, it's worth noting that whatI'm playing here is still a beta version,and they promised that wheel supportand more content is coming in the future.Still, as far as content goes, you're notmissing anything of note in Apexwhen compared tothe full Xbox One game.So, other than the factthat this one's free,the biggest differencehere is the fact thatit can take full advantage ofDirectX-capable hardware on the PC.That means unlocked frame rates,4K resolution, more detailed tracks,and improvements to things likereflections and lighting.It also has this setting that lets the gameadjust the graphical options on-the-flyto achieve a smooth frame rate.Pretty convenient. I wish moregames had that as an option.But even on ultra settings,it's nothing shockingly differentas the game was alreadyfriggin' gorgeous on Xbox One,running at 1080p at 60 FPSeven on there.But man, if you've got the hardwareand the display to take advantage of thisrunning at 4K, it's prettyphenomenal to look at.But it's not the graphicsthat have kept me playingForza Motorsportsince the series began!It's the driving model,the car and track selection,and the obsessive customization.But let's address each of these,starting with the driving model,which as far as I can tellis completely intact.Granted I wasn't playing it with a steering wheel,since I can't yet,but with an Xbox One pad,I was perfectly at home.In fact, some of the menu and buttonprompts are still expecting a gamepad,and freak out with a mouse and keyboard,so I don't imagine theychanged much in this regard.What *has* changedis the shockingly low car and track countcompared to the main game,with only 63 cars and sixtrack locations to choose from.It's probably still more than Forza 5 had.Well, anyway, they promised more cars and trackson the way for Apex in the future,but keep in mind this is a free-to-play game,which in this day and age means microtransactions.Each new car costs 99 cents to purchase,and there's no word on what tracks might cost yet.You're also able to unlock these cars and stuffthrough playing the game's Showcase Tourcareer mode and daily racing eventswhich just tosses most of thecars your way for free anyway.But there are more that you'll have tounlock using the in-game currency,and the number of these creditsthat you earn is pretty low.The Showcase Tour career–which isn't really a career,so maybe I shouldn't call it that–Uh, the \"shlerbnu\" only features twelve races,and after that you either have toplay the shlerbnu over and over,or hope there's something goodin the daily challenge list.Outside of the shlerbnu and daily events,there's also Free Race mode,which let's you race any track you've got unlocked,but just don't expect to earn any credits.Lastly, there's the customization,and by that, I mean the fact that it isn't there!You can paint the cars using thesame basic system as Forza 6, butthe iconic livery editor is entirely absent.Any logos, stripes, or designs thatyou see on the vehicles in this footageis just the default livery each one comes with.Beyond that, the garage has also been removed,meaning that you can't swapengines or performance parts,perform weight reductions,customize wheels or bodykits or anything like that.It's a base paint coat or nothing.At least you can still makethings in wood grain. That's good.The only thing they've left in is the tuning menu,which is far less appealing without theability to swap out each part on your car.I love the fact that Forza is finally on the platform,but it's a shame that it comes at thecost of missing such a ridiculous amountof what makes Forza such anengaging game series to begin with.And yes, it's a free-to-play beta thing,so that forgives a few of its sins, I guess, butthat doesn't completely excuse thefact that the content on offer is paltry,and as a PC user, I feel a tad slighted.I don't mean that I'm offended by its very existence,it's just that on the PC where you have plenty ofawesome, detailed racing sims already,there's only so much that Apex offers.Now that's not to say it'sgarbage either. Not at all!What little content they do include is excellent.It's Forza. It's got the cool rain effectsand the awesome cars, and the\"Top Gear\" promotional stuffmixed in there, and someMatt Farah smoking tire things.I mean, it's, it's car people stuff.It's still good!And there's nothing stopping someone from replayingthe same six tracks on all of their configurationsand using each of the 63 cars and trucksSo, if you're not easily bored by repetitiousenvironments and a lack of customization,then great!This is especially true if you'venever played the full game,you're probably gonna get agood bit of enjoyment from this.But as a long-time fan of the series andsomeone that's put ahundred hours just into Forza 6,it's missing what I feelto be its heart and soul,what makes Forza Motorsportas a series stand apart.Without my own menagerieof personalized cars,it's tougher to build arelationship with them.And with only six track locations,all of which I've alreadyplayed a ton in the full game,I feel quickly constrained.Plus, microtransactions.Man, this screws with the entireprogression system in a big way.However, if you've got acapable PC and Windows 10,this is a free alternative thatsucceeds in looking amazingand playing just as wellas its console counterpart.And that counts forsomething, I'll give it that,and perhaps it'll lead to a more completeexperience on the PC in the future.I just wish we didn't haveto compromise so muchto experience it now.Greetings! You're still here.I'm still here too.Well, good!If you enjoyed this video,why not click some of theseand see some moreor subscribe to be notified when there'smore in the future, Mondays and Fridayshere on LGR.And, uh, you know,I don't have much else to say,except that I like Forza Motorsport.I probably should have reviewed someof the others by now, but–I've been too busy playing them over the yearsto bother reviewing them, if that makes sense.Anyway, thank you very much for watching.\n"