With the official release last week there is bound to be a forum member here that has either downloaded the demo or bought the full version. If you're fortunate enough to have done so - what are your thoughts.

Personally I feel the franchise focused a bit too much on graphics polishing and didn't focus enough on the things the community felt weren't too good to begin with. There will never be a perfect sim, the real thing cannot be beaten - but here in a nut-shell is a summary of thought.

1.) The graphic rendering system is top class and welcomed. Be warned that you really have to get your gamma, brightness and contrast levels perfect or you won't be benefiting. Use the video tool as a guide and test your settings out on Fuji. You should be able to see clearly beneath the trees as you climb the course as well as see clearly within the tunnels.

2.) The decision to team up with the Top Gear franchise is a welcomed one, not only for followers of the series but for the benefit of the truly 'hard-core' car lovers out there. Autovista mode coupled with the finer details lead to an exceptional experience.

3.) AI - mixed bag here. The adaptive AI system is welcomed, no longer will you find yourself leading the pack from beginning to end without having to put up a fight and push to the limits. When the AI become too tough, they tone down automatically - perfectly balancing the challenge each race. The trouble however is that some AI will attempt to forcefully remove you from the track as if un-aware of you even being there. Whether or not this is because of a previous collision (for revenge) or a glitch is unknown for now. If you have similar experience, share what you believe to be the reason. It can become a bit frustrating at times

4.) Tyre physics and lock to lock steering - They have it right! You can finally over correct and tank slap yourself in the face. This is the sort of racing sim we deserved from the get go. Ensure your steering setup is set to simulation. Normal dampens movement and leads to excessive understeer and feedback that reminds one of Forza 3.

5.) Drag racing. Not sure why this has been removed from Split-screen mode? Not a great choice on Turn 10's part. There is no Christmas tree staging either or pre warmup which counts for the majority of the final win. Without this it's more of a mash the pedal to the floor and go scenario without the real interesting bits between. They really took a non-sim approach to the sub genre which is a huge dissapointment - they have however fixed the tyre physics to the point where rear wheel driven vehicles can finally keep up with their all wheel drive competition.

6.) Rivals mode is exactly what the community deserved. Allowing you to post times, challenge the ladder and earn credits in the process. This portion of the game really shines and will leave it up to you to experience it for yourself.

Have to agree with some of your sentiments - although harsh, some portions of the game (because it is a game) are not perfect.

The lifting of the pedal thing... This I haven't experienced yet, which section of the track and you say with the Mugen Civic Type R? I'll test it out as soon as you let me know a bit more information.

Do you have traction, stability control off? Steering set to simulation? If you don't have steering set to simulation you really are going to battle with understeer for sure - which could quickly turn to oversteer depending on track and vehicle. I found the 'normal' setting frustrating and unpredictable.

The Mazda side is half true, we have the Furai but the RX-7 was a huge let down. They don't include the true JDM versions. In Forza 3 there was a Type-R unicorn car (special earning) but out of the box, Forza 4 should have included this to begin with.

Spend another day on the game / sim. I'm sure you're experience will improve somewhat for the better :-)

R35 definitely has an understeer issue - tried it last night very late. I tried the H22 BB6 out - they got it right :-) let us know on the RX-7 handling side of things.

I'm getting good at racing a normally aspirated ek9 Type R lol but only my cousin has the game hey

Challenge #1 - The iconic JDM series:

Vehicle: Honda Civic EK9 Type R
Modifications allowed: Maximum of B Class, no limit to tuning as long as it doesn't jump to A.
Track: Tsukuba Circuit (Full)
Honesty policy: Interioview, all assists off but may use ABS if you require.
Proof: Screenshot of results window showing vehicle class, vehicle name and best lap time.

I'll post my own up as soon as I get a chance to make a few passes.

Will it be your 4th..... your 4th present I mean he he he

Lol as soon as I see my cuz I'll enter a time, I'll even try get my cuz to join in and I'll have to take a lowgrade cellphone pic of the results oh and monkey I race every car game sitting in the car, I prefer it feeling more realistic and I don't cheat cause I love a good scuffle of pure driving skills same as I normally try to never hit another car cause I feel that's cheating in a way

Lol I still haven't had a crack at the game again. Dammit maybe when we have that chat I'll come set a time on your system lol

Yes monkey stop playing with yourself. Wayne is specially going to buy the game for christmas to ensure he can play with himself

I still have to finish Forza 3 before I get Forza 4

Lol and monkey is beating me in a car that I like all be it that I haven't driven enough in but only losers make excuses and I'm clearly losing so far lol.

If mine was working (old one) I would have said take it, but I that broke a long long time ago. Rob, not to worry, you've got all of Decemeber to practice!

i might be get a good deal this week..so holding thumbs...

but i wont be able to play online just yet...lol no internet line at home.

on another note, anyone know if you can plug a usb 3g modem into the xbox?