Forza Horizon 3 Review Roundup

Forza Horizon 3 releases next week, but critics have already started to drop their verdicts on the open-world racing game. So far, the critical reception is very positive.

If you want to try Forza Horizon 3 before you buy it, there's currently a free demo available on Xbox One. A PC demo doesn't have a firm release date, but we do know that it's coming out after the full game's release on September 27. Additionally, buying Forza Horizon 3 digitally on Xbox One gets you the PC version for free and vice versa.

We've collected a series of reviews from around the internet and compiled them in an easy-to-read list below. For a wider view of the critical reception, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Forza Horizon 3
• Developer: Playground Games
• Platform: Xbox One, PC
• Release: September 27
• Price: $60

GameSpot -- 9/10

"With Forza Horizon 3, Turn 10 and Playground Games affirm the series' status as the driving game for everyone. The new emphasis on off-road options isn't at the expense of traditional races, thanks to the sheer volume of activities. All the while, Playground Games' calculated kitchen-sink design philosophy and rich reward system persistently tempt you to explore beyond your comfort zone, whether it's gifting your first Ariel Nomad buggy or reminding you that stunt races can impress thousands of fans. Enhancing your own brand might feel like a strange motivation to hit the road, but pulling off sick e-drifts on a mile-long series of curves makes the PR work worthwhile." -- Miguel Concepcion [full review]

Arcade Sushi -- 9.5/10

"Forza Horizon 3 has everything you could possibly want from a modern racing game, and it just happens to be in the most stunning package we've ever seen. There's so much to do, so much to see, and so many cars to drive, it's a bit overwhelming at times. But then you look up from the asphalt and see the world around you, and it brings a calm over it all. Continuing to build on the solid foundation put in place by previous Forza Horizon and Motorsport games, Playground Games has delivered what could be the ultimate open-world racer in Forza Horizon 3." -- Luke Brown [full review]

IGN -- 9.5/10

"Forza Horizon 3 is a masterclass in open-world racing and bigger and better than its excellent predecessor across the board. It looks fantastic, the car selection and customisation is second to none, and the size and variety of the sprawling Australian outback is magnificent. Above all, Horizon 3 never loses sight of the fact that tearing through postcard-perfect locations should be fun, and it puts the tools in our hands to keep it that way, always. This is the racing game I've been waiting for, and it's officially my favourite thing on four wheels." -- Luke Reilly [full review]

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Shacknews -- 9/10

"After playing every game in the Forza series, I can say without any hesitation that this is, by far, the best Forza game to date. The open-world driving mechanics are seamless, the amount of content is vast, and the social game modes deliver the most variety the series has ever seen. While previous iterations from the Forza Horizon series were used to first introduce and fine tune the open-world mechanic, Forza Horizon 3 feels like the series grand crescendo as all of that work has lead up to the best Forza game I've ever played. I already was a big fan of the Forza series, but Forza Horizon 3 is beyond anything I could have ever imagined for the series and I can’t wait to discover more of its beautiful world." -- Daniel Perez [full review]

Polygon -- 8.5/10

"Forza Horizon 3 is as much a driving game as a racing game. Through a superbly realized version of Australia as well as a wide variety of terrain, cars and challenges, this free-roaming car simulation offers a valuable playbox. But it also managed to muster 'cor blimey' moments that made me feel a whooping rush of speed and liberation." -- Colin Campbell [full review]

GamesRadar -- 4/5

"Forza Horizon 3 is a very high quality video game, with a multitude of amazing features, great visuals, a stonking soundtrack, exemplary online integration, insane speed (at times), and solid handling. You won't need to think much while you play it, but if you're talking about places to just cut loose and enjoy the breathtaking scenery, Australia is a fine place to do it." -- Justin Towell [full review]

CGMagazine -- 8/10

"Forza Horizon 3 is likely best experienced by recent converts; if you've done everything in the previous games, you don't need to rush out and finish the trilogy. As someone who devoured the previous Forza Horizon games, I spent around 10 hours with Horizon 3 (only got to 25% completion, there's a lot to do) and I felt like that was a great place to stop. For the rest of the class, Forza Horizon 3 is a great place to satiate your primal lust for high speeds. Have fun, and buy the Lambo first." -- Mike Cosimano [full review]