In this seventh game in the series, the focus has been on polishing and refining everything that worked well in Forza Motorsport 6 and that's why very little new has just been added. One (!

It's that time of year again for the Forza franchise. As we get ready to rev our engines, Forza Motorsport returns to the forefront as Turn 10 prepares to take us on another ride. With all of this, only one question matters: Is Forza Motorsport 7 the sequel we've been waiting for?

Forza Motorsport 7 boasts a ridiculous commitment to realism and graphical fidelity. Whether that's enough to sell you on the Xbox One X will depend on just how seriously you take your virtual racing. For proper petrolheads, this is pretty much gaming nirvana - and even if you don’t know the difference between a prop shaft and a parking brake, the beginner-friendly driving assists are a welcome helping hand to get you behind the wheel. There are a few irks, like an over-reliance on loot crates to expand your car collection, but these the exception, rather than the rule. Serious sim fans will probably find a bit more customisation with Project Cars 2, but for sheer fun factor, Forza wins out. Fun is, after all, what makes the Motorsport games a thrill - rather than a true approximation of what life behind the wheel might be like. There’s probably a reason why Lewis Hamilton looks miserable half the time, and we’d rather not find out why for ourselves. Unless someone’s gonna pay us an extraordinary sum to veg out in front of our Xbox, anyway.

Massive garage of cars to choose from; Fine balance between sim and arcade racing; Looks flippin’ gorgeous;

Microtransactions get in the way of your fun; Drivatar AI can be aggressive;

Mod squad

Superb handling; Stunning weather effects; Fantastic sound; Streamlined multiplayer lobbies

Some poor trackside detail; Cluttered progression system; Prize crates are forced down your throat

Outstanding graphics almost make up for a slightly repetitive gameplay experience. A huge selection of cars and race combinations, coupled with the level of difficulty customisation makes Forza 7 the best driving simulation on Xbox One, but for me it falls just short of the heights set by Horizon 3.

Oh Forza 7, Shall I compare thee to a summer's day, Thy menus more functional than template, Rough winds do blow autumn leaves across Thy undulating and curvaceous Maple Valley, As though 'twere a maiden's breast.

Available on Xbox One (version tested) and Windows PC Considering the Xbox One X as the most powerful console ever, and the place to be to see the most beautiful games, it's surprising that we're getting Forza Motorsport 7 a month before the hardware launches.

Looks utterly gorgeous; Accessible to players of all skill levels; A fun and engaging career mode; So many cars to drive; And lots of tracks to drive them on

Long load times between races; AI behaviour can be erratic at times

More accessible than ever, Forza Motorsport 7 delivers a gorgeous racer that will likely be a fantastic launch title for Microsoft's Xbox One X. We will revisit this review to give it a thorough update when that platform launches, but until then, enjoy the 700 vehicles, new livery options, and...

700 amazing cars that all feel different; Eye-poppingly beautiful; Dynamic weather causes in-game effects; Incredible accessible for all audiences; Challenges are a great break from racing

Gatcha-like mod system feels grindy; VIP rewards are a tough pill to swallow; Occasional framerate hitches on Xbox One and PC; Occasional physics wobbles

The biennial launch of a Forza Motorsport game should always be on the radar for serious racing fans. However, while it's third Horizon stablemate stomped all over the meagre competition last year, there's a glut of fantastic looking racers arriving this Autumn.

Jaw-dropping visuals; Weighty but fun handling model; Huge array of cars; Great range of tracks

Extended load times; In-game economy looks to be a future issue; Unnecessary loot boxes

The second is that Forza Horizon 3 happened. Playground's spin-off series of open-world racers has always been superb, but 3 really struck a chord with players and Microsoft is delighted with its sales.