@@zerotofifty FH6 really needs to Return to Southern Europe IMO, now they have the much more Powerful Series S/X and PC's to work with, they can easily give us a vastly Larger Map in that Location, something more in line with ETS2 with the DLC's...
You even skipped the fact that the soundtrack actually made you feel like you’re at a festival, like you’re in a certain area like Southern Europe. My favourite Horizon Game and top 3 game of all time.
Personally I think after 3, bass arena and pulse felt very tastless and couldn't fit anywhere in the later titles, barely 2 or 3 good songs for each station and the rest is a sleeper
Horizon 2 is still the best looking Horizon imo. It looks like how you would visualise a hot, sunny day by the Mediterranean coast in your head. You can almost feel how lush the air is just by looking at it
I don't even need to visualize it as I live in Southern France. Simply put, devs did a phenomenal job with the map as it captures what makes this region of the world one of the most desirable places for tourists but most importantly for petrolheads.
FR this game literally is my music taste! And in my opinion the music best matches the game as compared to other horizon games where the music doesn't really fit the vibe.
@@Wrecks-ip4ep FH3 and FH1 both had soundtracks that matched their respective settings. I'd say that FH4's soundtrack feels too cold and mechanic for a relatively welcoming and traditional looking Britain.
The one thing fh2 did best was making every road meaningful. The problem with fh5 and fh4 is that you can literally drive anywhere to get across the map. It’s nice to have a map where you can go anywhere but it loses the aspect of driving.
Finally someone else pointing this out. I thought I was going crazy with how nobody mentions the removal of proper driving roads in racing games like Red Rock road in FH1, Eagle Crest Road in HP 2010 and the Coastal Road in FH2.
What an absolutely beautiful video, mate. I’m playing through FH1 and the points you’ve raised here resonate hard. You’ve got me excited to get into FH2 as soon as I’m done with its prequel. If only the newer FH games retained the same soul and charm while making progressive improvements in the areas that truely matter. And, thank you so much for that massive shoutout! It’s an honour to have been a part of bringing this to fruition.
Wow 10 years huh. This game is still unmatched imo. It was just so ahead of its time. Newer games are more advanced and maybe even “better” in some ways, but this one felt like the NFSU2 of the 2010s. Horizon 1 came up with the blueprint and the vision (it was itself genre-defining), but FH2 perfected it.
FH2 is without a doubt one of my favourite driving games of all time and it's always nice to see more people enjoying it. That being said, I think there are a few minor details that could've made it even better : -Horizon Finale is simply impossible to replay once you win it the 2nd time. Did they somehow think that not being able to replay the race would make the 2 times you won it more memorable because the only other explanation was forcing people to play online as it was available in online freeroam? -Once again, there are no drag races in singleplayer and the only MP drag race is the airport one. This such a shame because there were some amazing spots to do drag racing such as the highway or the straight in Nice. -This game is responsible for the downgrade in campaign and progression. Wheelspins were introduced in this game making RNG a huge factor for one's progression. As you've pointed out, mid-game story was completely lacking and post-game content is infinitely repetitive. FH1 also had a 2nd free DLC called 1000 Club and they were basically like accolades but for each car and it could've easily been improved for FH2 but instead they completely removed this part of the game. -Porsche Expansion (another thing you didn't mention) was a weak 3rd expansion compared to what we got in FH3 and Storm Mountain expansion map was copy pasted from a northern-east section of the map. You can even search "fh2 expansion copy paste" on google to confirm it yourself. -There are no tools to make custom championships or even custom races so you have to do the entire roadtrip just to replay your favourite race. -They removed custom lobbies and race modes like cat and mouse and replaced it with road trips. While those road trips were pretty fun, drifting during races was incentived as it gave you XP (The one with most XP won the championship) which turned some races into a complete joke. We had to wait until FH4 to get proper online races.
the first time i ever played Forza in general was FH2 on the 360, yes, ik, it wasnt fh2 on the xbox one, but it was my parents could afford and damn, this brings back hella memories. Great video like always
I played this game this year for the first time in my life and i fell in love. I swear the car ferry is just like the thing i ecountered irl and basically this whole game feels like vacation, the place, the realistic but stylized graphics, the music. And it just plays so good. Going from place to place and planning the trips in a way to travel along the cliffside is so amazing. I just love this game so much, and i cried while playin it. As a fh1 lover, this became my new fav. And although there are some annoying details, both in presentation (i look at you lack of droplets on the lens during the rain) and in game structure. I think it is amazing. And the race cycle is kinda fun to do, you stick to one car for a bit and then try another, instead of being spammed with vehicles you would never drive anyways. In fh2 i have driven every single car i own, maybe besides 2 or 3 from wheelspins that i missed.
I’ve played Forza Horizon 2,3,4 and 5. No matter how many racing games come, Forza Horizon 2 has always been the best game to me and will always be. I spent so much time playing Forza Horizon 2 to enjoy it and make me feel good. I’ve played many games now such as GTA,Spiderman, Gran Turismo, WWE 2k23 and 2k24, The enjoyment I had with Forza Horizon 2 will always top all those games combined no matter what. I will play Forza Horizon 2 again with a new progress and enjoy that feeling again. I remember when I got the Xbox One after playing the PlayStation 3 for years and when I got Forza Horizon 2, it was so great. I remember being upset when my parents didn’t let me buy new games and I was stuck playing Forza Horizon 2 for 7-8 years, I was ultimately great full at the end because I had lots of fun. Now I have the ps5 and I’m gonna turn that Xbox one back on to enjoy Forza Horizon 2 to make the fun out of it.
Forza horizon 2 had a beautiful map, great songs, nice cars and ofcourse great festival. I'm so glad I still have a copy of this game on my shelf it's a shame they shut it down but aleast the offline is amazing on its own.
Ultraviolet, your deep dive into Forza Horizon 2 is pure gold! 🏆 Revisiting this iconic game after 10 years really highlights how it reshaped the entire Horizon series. Your detailed analysis of its pre-production, content, and post-launch impact shows why Horizon 2 remains a fan favorite. This video is a must-watch for any racing game enthusiast. Thanks for taking us on this nostalgic journey and reminding us why Forza Horizon 2 is a true classic! 🚗🎮
FH2 is without a doubt one of my favourite driving games of all time and it's always nice to see more people enjoying it. That being said, I think there are a few minor details that could've made it even better : -Horizon Finale is simply impossible to replay once you win it the 2nd time. Did they somehow think that not being able to replay the race would make the 2 times you won it more memorable because the only other explanation was forcing people to play online as it was available in online freeroam? -Once again, there are no drag races in singleplayer and the only MP drag race is the airport one. This such a shame because there were some amazing spots to do drag racing such as the highway or the straight in Nice. -This game is responsible for the downgrade in campaign and progression. Wheelspins were introduced in this game making RNG a huge factor for one's progression. As you've pointed out, mid-game story was completely lacking and post-game content is infinitely repetitive. FH1 also had a 2nd free DLC called 1000 Club and they were basically like accolades but for each car and it could've easily been improved for FH2 but instead they completely removed this part of the game. -Porsche Expansion (another thing you didn't mention) was a weak 3rd expansion compared to what we got in FH3 and Storm Mountain expansion map was copy pasted from a northern-east section of the map. You can even search "fh2 expansion copy paste" on google to confirm it yourself. -There are no tools to make custom championships or even custom races so you have to do the entire roadtrip just to replay your favourite race. -They removed custom lobbies and race modes like cat and mouse and replaced it with road trips. While those road trips were pretty fun, drifting during races was incentived as it gave you XP (The one with most XP won the championship) which turned some races into a complete joke. We had to wait until FH4 to get proper online races.
I loved the use of NFS OST throughout the video. I guess there aren't many people left that played the original games if no one has mentioned it yet but then again it's been 20+ years now.
I've never seen a video that genuinely made me question if parallel versions of ourselves exist. Not only did the trailers make you save up to by an Xbox exactly as I did, but even the way you describe every point about the game is micron-level accurate to how I feel about Horizon 2 and exactly, down to the syllables, how I would describe it. And then to top things off, we both regretfully (but not really) skipped out on Storm Island. And even your mentioning of nitrous in F&F. Maaaaan. We may just beong lost twins😂
I managed to get my hands on the last copy of Forza Horizon 2 from Amazon France, a few days ago. I kept staring at the disc in disbelief and shed some tears after a wait that lasted almost a decade. I went over to my younger brother and made him leave a NFS Rivals session just to install FH2. When I started the game, I crumbled when I saw the loading screen, remembering that this game is what changed my life forever; the Yellow Huracàn sunkissed by the warm European sunrise, the raindrops on the expensive and vibrant red LaFerrari and a bunch of friends playing ball in the middle of a lavender field with a blue Corvette C7. Forza Horizon 2 was too good that Turn 10 haven't managed to make anything close to it since, let alone being as good.
Horizon 2 was also my first forza game, however I played on the heavily criticised 360 version. Even so I couldn’t really see the differences in the gameplay, and now I’m sure to get the Xbox one version to replay it all over again.
Forza Horizon 2 was also my first horizon game and kinda got me hooked on cars in general. I remember FH2 had a server browser feature and I would always join a drag racing lobby. I still very clearly remember the strip of road that was used. It was next a festival outpost (or whatever they were called back then) and had a very clear line where it changed from older to newer tarmac. No game chat no nothing, people would get into cars, line up, 1 person would act as the countdown light (3 red lights and you go on the reverse light of the countdown car) and ppl would just drag race. It was so awesome. No words exchanged, no real prize, just pure love of cars and racing. Man I wish I could go back and play it...
I can't believe it's already been ten years. This is absolutely the best horizon. Right in that Goldy locks zone. Although, being a native Coloradoan, horizon one will always be my personal favorite. I grew up 10 minutes away from the real Red Rocks.
Forza horizon 2 was so far ahead of its time. The graphics, the handling, the incredible map and FUN online. It felt like you were at a festival with others. Best vibe and feel. I hate to imagine how many hours I sank into this game, but it was all so worth it! Beautiful game
I remember waking up one day and launching the game without checking online, then seeing the 918 logo on the loading screen and freaking out. That was still the most excited I’ve ever been for a Forza DLC
First Horizon for me was FH3, then bought FH4 Ultimate Edition physical. Later bought FH5 Ultimate Edition digitally, and well I’m more of a FH4 player than FH5. Now I just got to find my steelbook of FH4 to install the game once again before December 14th. It’s truly sad that FH4 is being delisted due to partnerships ending. FH4 was the game that got all of us Forza players through the covid era.
I would donate organs if it meant I could purchase Horizon 2 in its entirety today. It's so beautiful and something I never got to experience, having played the Xbox 360 edition.
I really loved and prefered FH2 to 1. *But* I also really remember how "disapponting" the final race was compared to the final race of the first installment. This might be nostalgia talking, but my memories of that final FH1 race feel unmatched.
FH1 finale was something you worked towards throughout the whole game while FH2's finale was just a random very long race that you could only play twice. Somehow FH3 managed to make Goliath even less significant as it was treated the same way as any other race in that game. FH4 made things a bit better when they made these longer races for each race type and it took some grinding to unlock them.
One of the things that turn me off of the newer games is that you start off at the “top” or some sort of “manager/owner” of the festival. I want to be the underdog again, I don’t want drivatars when I only talk to 5-6 of my Xbox friends and the rest are mutual randoms (who I haven’t talked to since 2018). I want characters with names and personalities to race, who are relevant to the festival. I want to beat rivals and get the best wristband not just help make the festival popular.
FH2 is definitive Horizon. I too was a GT6 diehard but I still got an xbox 1 specifically to get FH2. I truly believe that having certain areas you cant go (preventative elevation and deep water) and solid guardrails adds the complexity of the map and its navigation. It also makes crashing more punishing and driving well more rewarding I just wish there was a away to play this with all its dlc
Yes, yes yes! This is the only Horizon I want now I have all the others. You're right - this was the biggest leap because of the 360-One transition. Besides a proper DJ organised the tracks.
Great video! I was in a shitty moment at my life but this game kept me busy for a while, it was one of if not the only reason to buy an xbox one back in the day, i have some really good memories with this game and now i really want to replay it.
I remember hearing about FH2 for the first time so clearly. I was in 7th grade and had gotten my 360 a year prior and played FH1 3 times over, I was in an Xbox live party when my buddy told me that they just dropped the FH2 trailer, I couldn’t believe it. I thought he was lying until I saw it for my own eyes… that intro song in the reveal trailer still gives me chills
For the longest time, horizon 2 was the only installment in the series that I haven’t played (for many reasons, including being delisted) until some years back when I had a used copy of the game imported. Playing it for the first time back then I was amazed at how not only did it hold up to the latest game in the series (which, at the time, was horizon 4) but exceeded it in so many ways. Even compared to the latest horizon 5, it still exceeds it in so many ways. I loved horizon 2, and though it became a bit repetitive towards the end (to be fair, I did binge the whole game in like a week), it quickly became one of my favorites in the series. This game is 10 years old yet it barely looks or feels two years old. I only wish I could play the DLCs so I can experience them. I’d love to see you tackle horizon 3 with similar depth since it’s tied up there with the first Horizon as my favorite game in the series.
Forza Horizon 2 was the last time I felt a racing game was catering to the player. So much of modern game design, especially in Forza, tries to frame the world opening up as you're there as someone special and it's by your command that we shall make this thing happen. And honestly, that just sounds like work to me. I want to be apart of the culture, enjoying the music and the ambiance. 2 felt like participating in a Rally going across the south of europe and it got it's vibe down right. And that point about newer forzas bending the knee to the performance index overlord needs to be said louder. The game can adapt and make computers relative without showing all the numbers. I see a car I want to drive, we can let the game fill in the grid with cars that would seem reasonable to go against even if you gotta throw in a few sandbags to get that number up.
The newer Forzas leave far too much to the imagination of the players. Instead of providing immersion, they just give you a huge sandbox and leave the rest to the player.
The reason i think Forza Horizon 2 was so awesome, is developers with a passion to make a game, that show the love for cars, when driving them. FH3 was the begining of the Cash for gameplay. FH2 was just big enough to have fun and not get bored.
@@UltraViolet_Moses you made a great video here. I agree that the handling & dynamics of the cars was much better in FH2. For a game most people play with a controller they did an amazing job creating an “at the edge of grip” experience. And you are so right about playing the cars in stock form, still just as fun. I have fond memories of playing this game in my man cave with the surround sound cranked and difficulty set way up, and having so much fun. Thanks for making this video, it validated what I’ve thought for years!
Though I’m into sim-racing now, I look back very fondly on the first three horizons, nothing in new games has really matched my excitement when beginning each of those games and playing with my friends online. Wonderful documentation!
Forza Horizon 3 is the reason I switched from PlayStation to Xbox. I wish I could buy and play FH3 again, and I wish that I could experience FH2 and 1.
This was the prime for racing games, by far my favourite racing game ever, forget nfs, gran turismo, this is the best racing game ever made. Crazy to think this came out 10 years ago as well
Well put together. As always. Horizon 2 was my introduction to the series. I was hooked right from the start. Horizon 2 offered me practically everything that I was missing from the other racing games at the time. A beautiful open world, good combat, a good driving experience... After that, the series started to fall apart for me. I still loved Horizon 3 very much. Not least because of the beautiful Australia map and the fact that it was the first game in the series on the PC. But unfortunately that's where the problems started. More focus on multiplayer, playlists etc. All things that were heavily expanded in the subsequent instalments.
As somebody who has played every single Forza game, you were 100% spot on. Horizon 2 had every aspect of an awesome racing game. A beautiful map, an extensive story mode, good OST, amazing multiplayer modes, and awesome car sounds. The game was just magnificent.
Finally, it's here! This game and its ff car pack has some great old memories with itself, Amazing video moses, now im waiting for a forza horizon 3 review & how it was a sequel that took 2 steps forward, but down a shallow hill.
Horizon 2 wasn't the first game of its kind. But it definitely marked the direction for the series. FH3 still got me kind of excited but with FH4 I knew that same feeling would be forever lost. They are just unable to keep the same spark that ignited it all.
I would make a long post about my love for this game but I’ll say this; your mention of how this game is like being on a rally is spot on. I think that’s the best way to explain this game. There’s no other game I’ve played that has matched the feel this game exudes. Also that highway? One of few highways that I’ve seen in a racing that game actually functions as a “fast travel” method than it is a set piece. It wasn’t just placed there, it held an actual function that not many games get to show off
Forza Horizon 1 and 2 were absolute peak racing games of all time. For me personally, the vibe was never the same or as strong as those first two. They felt alive, rich in atmosphere. They got everything right. 1 and 2 are the type of games that make me wanna go back to the exact times they came out.
Bro absolutely amazing video. I love these kind of videos. An in-depth look at something you and your viewers are passionate about, voicing the great parts of older Forza games and taking me on a trip down memory lane. One on FH3 would be super. Thanks for the great video again man.
At the time of FH3's demo, I was starting to come back into racing games. While I never did get to play FH3, and is still looking for the chance to, I did get FH2 for free with a gold membership. I think I got lucky with that. I have to thank FH2 for bringing me back into racing games. Without that game, I don't think I would have gotten back into my love of racing games or cars as I did when I was a child.
I feel that, more often than not, this game doesn’t get the credit it deserves. With no 4K update or server support it makes me curious as to why the devs turned a blind eye to this masterpiece. Great analysis as always 🙏 I also love your points about art style and it’s something I couldn’t agree with more. These games with stylistic graphics are able to still look absolutely incredible YEARS after their release. FH2 did an incredible job at being one cohesive type of vibe and really making it feel like summer.
Forza Horizon 3 was my first Forza game so I have my bias around it but I Played FH2 years later and can understand what this game means so much to people the first 3 Horizon games just hit in the right parts of what a racing games mean. FH5 was close but it still missing those vibes
As a PC player I had a similar experience where I played FH3 and FH4 first before buying a Series X and playing FH2. Then I played FH5 via gamepass when it launched and the last game I played was Horizon 1 when it was (accidentally) relisted for a very short time. Today, I have them all installed on my Series X and use Quick Resume to compare a car between different games every now and then.
The scenery was amazing. I'm Turkish and my grandparents have a beach house along the Aegean coast, driving along the mediterranean ingame feels just like I'm in southwestern Turkey. Couldn't capture that soothing feel with 4 or 5.
Fh2 was my first game ever. I had this little demo on dad’s xbox. I played it around 50 times. Finally someday I decided to buy this masterpiece. Spent hours enjoying cars, music, and the beauty of the map. Every trip, every cutscene. Game had a unique game style. Only thing I could complain was the lack of things to do after second final. They could add more of them. I dont like the way this game serie is going.
Hearing and experiencing that intro to FH2 when I was younger w/my new Xbox 360E made me scared that I got the wrong game or disk, or that I got hacked LMAO! Gladly, it was anything *but* that, so much more 💙
I ended up downloading the full soundtrack for the first 2 games, I play it in my car. Epic, they paid a real world DJ to build a playlist for the first 2.
This was a great video highlighting the importance of Horizon 2 as one of the best the Racing video game genre has ever seen. Wish We'd get a 4k 60fps patch like the first Horizon game.
Best Forza game (i'm biased cuz i am Italian) but i still enjoy this game to this day, it was my childhood and one of my favorite games of all time cant wait for Forza horizon 6!!!!!
I still remember buying a Toyota MR2 and turning it into a fake Ferrari F40, and went completely overboard plastering novelty stickers all over the rear bumper and brought it to random car meets
Maybe it's nostalgia bias but horizon 1 and 2 will always be the best. I played 3, 4 and 5, each less and less however. I'm a sucker for progression and in the newer horizons you end up with ferraris and lambos in your garage after less than an hour. I remember playing for hours and hours with my mates from school doing 50 lap races for the cash and XP in horizon 2 because the cars were fun, the tracks were fun, the whole experience was fun. And we'd do that purely so we could have enough money to do a bunch of car challenges vs each other. It all felt earned.
I feel the same way. I need progression in my games, something I can work towards. I get absolutely no pleasure from always having everything thrown at me from the start. Why the hell should I play if I already have everything? But that's exactly what the masses seem to love. Look at the success of Horizon 5. That's why I don't think we'll ever get anything like Horizon 1 or 2, or even at least 3 again...
IF ZELDA BOTW WAS A RACING GAME!!! -BEAUTIFUL JUST TO LOOK AT!!! -BARN YARD FINDS -SHOWCASES -EPIC DLC'S -AUCTIONS -BUCKET LISTS -FESTIVAL MUSIC!!! -BEFORE YOU EVEN GET INTO RACING. -WEEKLY RACING CHALLENGES FOR CARS -MAN THEY HAD THE CURE TO INFINITE MONEY -A NEVER ENDING LIST OF CARS I REMEMBER PLAYING THIS GAME RELIGIOUSLY AFTER FINISHING THE GAME ALMOST 100%, SELLING CARS, CHALLENGES, EVEN BASHING BOARDS WAS FUN! THIS VID JERKED SOME TEARS
Too bad horizon 2 servers were shut down before its 10th anniversary... Would've loved to play an online road trip one last time. For sure, do a video on Horizon 3. It's my personal favorite.
I haven't watched the video but I want to give my opinion on the game before doing so: I started this game about a month ago after really wanting to play it for a long time (I had only played the 360 demo 💀), and it not only met my expectations, it succeeded them. Coming from replaying Horizon 1 after a decade, it truly felt like everything a sequel should be, and it works so well as a transition between FH1's solid structure and the more freedom-oriented future games, making it in my opinion the best balance of both worlds. Not to mention the absolute banging soundtrack, most gorgeous visuals in the franchise to this date and overall amazing vibes. For now, it's my favorite Horizon game (but I haven't played 3 so we'll see)
“Oh yeah, keep the car.” I still remember watching people get that Ferrari within the first hour. It’s unbelievable more people don’t understand how much better of an experience horizon 2 was.
That freedom of being able to do what you want, with the ability to still race in ITALY is awesome. This is my most favourite game of all time, and not just due to the reason above. I remember playing with my dad, and it was awesome. We used to take it in turns to complete the final race, and it was brilliant. Along with specifically the night time graphics, this game just hits different.
This game was my first Horizon too. No racing game ever got me like Horizon. Sometimes I still think back to how ecstatic I was to drive cars like the Charger Daytona, Old Classics, and, of course, the amazing Barn Finds. Still going strong in Horizon 4! Here’s to you, Horizon! Also… BRING BACK THE RENAULT ALPINE A110!
Thankfully atleast Horizon 1 is starting to get emulated so that it isn't lost to time. In time Horizon 2 might get same treatment aswell, it just that it has to be done like this, but what you gonna do. I'm so sad that I never got to play FH1 and 2. I have 3, but not the Hot Wheels DLC for it. Anyway great vid. And it is vids like these that make me crave for better racing games. Since it has been done, we know good racing games can be done.
Even if horizon 4 has my personal favorite map and horizon 3 being the first that i played. I always return to horizon 2. probably because of the map with 6 good cities (nizza and Castelletto are still my fav cities tbh) and it just feels nice to just drive around.
Not being able to get the XBOX One immediately; I, at first, was disappointed with the 360 version. But the day I was able to upgrade onto the One, there was so much more to the world.
After 10 years of only getting to play Forza Motorsport 1 on Mt Grandparents' origin Xbox, they and my parents surprised me on my birthday with an Xbox One and a copy of Forza Horizon 2, my entry point to modern gaming as a whole. I absolutely adore this game.
Forza Horizon was my first and my favorite overall especially with the music. Forza Horizon 2 is my favorite since the xbox one. A lot of people put FH3 at the top and It is a great game, but with the music and the story and progression of 2 always had me something to do. I rank Forza Horizon games with a heavy weight tied to the music and you can't FH and FH2 all the radio stations have good music.
That game has captured such a vibe especially in the map, truly the peak of the horizon series. Such a shame it hasn’t been made available for pc cause I really miss driving that coast side road :’(
i played the 360 version and i still loved it even though i seen the good things this game could have been if i had a xbox 1, thats how good the game is
Best lighting I've ever seen in a video game right next to the drive club. Horizon 2 is just a technological open world masterpiece in my opinion especially for its time (if only it had a bit bigger render distance. Idk if it's noticeable while you play it but on videos u can notice it). The map is just so detailed , the car models still hold up very well , great car sounds. The thing that stood out the most to me is the rain in this game and the whole dynamic weather system it had. Despite it being the first introduction into the franchise it is still the best. Everything just felt really polished and realistic. Also Storm Island looks insane with it's storm weather..... Soundtrack list is amazing. I wanna play it so bad , shame that i don't have a xbox one.
The dialog and vibe was so natural. I hate how they try to recreate it now and other games a well. The feel good vibe and “funny” and “relatable” dialog is SOOO forced. All open world racing games are trying to follow the same path and it really takes the enjoyment of buying another new title.
They have to follow that Path, because its the only way to get the Car Companies to License nowadays, as more and more Car Companies are now Mandating an ESRB E/PEGI 3 Rating and NO Street Racing In their Licensing Deals in order to protect their Corporate Images in the Middle and Far East.
can someone tell me why Horizon 2 character animations were so lifelike than the absolute uncanny valley Horizon 5 animations . I mean the humans look like theyre made of clay from 3 to afterwards
This was my fovorite horizon and for one thing only... INSTANT REPLAYS!!! Please Bring Back Race Replays. Go back and watch those OOOOOOO SHIIIIII moments.
I'd actually argue that up until fh4 the games we're actually improving sufficiently for the time periods they had in between to develop the games. I do agree the series suffers from a lack of innovation but I also feel fh3 while retaining the same core felt significantly different for a game coming out 2 years after.
They always improve, you just have your nostalgia glasses on! Do you have eventlab for example in FH2? Eliminator? Ofc you could say that they still lacking innovation, and with that one i would even agree
There has yet to be another game that gives me goosebumps like this game. There is something in the cinematics, the location and the celebration of the car that congeals perfectly into this masterpiece that touches all of your senses. This game came out right at the peak of road car tech with the Triple Crown of cars. P1, 918, La Ferrari. Top Gear was still on TV and getting better with age. There was at the time so much hope and anticipation for what was to come. Does Horizon 2 hold up today? Yes and no. On my playback a couple years ago, I found the map to be less open that Horizon 4 for example. There was more places you couldn't drive on. This while a nice feature in 4, makes 2 feel more constrictive. This feeling is soon forgiven though as the music of the festival consumes you, the downshift of a Twin turbo V6 or N/A V10 fills your ears. You can almost FEEL the vibrations of the engine. The experience is visceral. I still have a screenshot/photo moment in the game of when I was driving my Hero car, A 1960's Ford GT40. I didn't know the map yet and was going too fast, hit a roundabout, and launched the car in the air. I paused the game and took a photo mid air, at sunset, in a priceless racecar. This is it, this was Horizon. The moment grabbed me. I fell in love with the experience that it offered. I was hooked on the series up until Horizon 5, I decided not to get the newest game because I came to realize that its the same formula, same game, just recycled. I stopped at 4. Yet its Horizon 2 that still holds the torch, dare I say Golden Standard , as to what a "car is art" format of an experience and entrainment standard is. I still listen to the E3 launch trailer sometimes, that Lambo v10 on the seaside mountain road with the perfect music background. The passion is there, and we the audience can feel it. I'm grateful this game is still something we can go back to. I thank you Ultraviolet for this video and all the other content on Forza you have as you clearly love the games and want them to be good
They basically had to cut the Narrative for FH2. Microsoft wanted more Sales, and that meant lowering the Age Rating to a Target PEGI 3 (which it met) /ESRB E (which it failed to meet, getting an E-10 for a reason I Personally cannot Fathom, maybe some of the Female Character Designs?, or Possibly some of the Music?) and given the Story was the core Reason for FH1 getting Rated 12/T (and bare in mind that, nowadays, as of 2024, the Cutscene with Hailey Harper is grounds for an 18 Rating under the new Post 2018 PEGI Rules which are far Stricter than the ones of 2012, although it would still be a T from the ESRB), it had to be Dropped, or they would not get the Lower Age Rating that Microsoft was Requesting (and now literally Demands, all Future Forza Games, post 2019, now have to be Rated PEGI 3/ESRB E under Microsoft's "Forza Safe Space" Corporate Policy, which, unfortunately, could well render it Impossible to ever have a Story in a Horizon Game again without a Professional (and very expensive) Screenwriter who can balance the needs of a Proper Story with the Extremely Strict Nature of the PEGI 3 and ESRB E Ratings, Especially the PEGI 3 Rating which is Government Controlled (as the European PEGI Rating System is controlled by the Video Standards Agency, which is a British Government Department!) and thus is always going to be far Stricter! they really do need to bring back a Narrative if they can do so however, as this Live Services FOMO Chore Chart Direction that Mike Brown went down with FH4/5 just is not Working as it has turned the Game into a Job! They need to go back to a Long, Proper, Single Player Campaign as part of a Game that is pretty much 90% Complete at Launch Minus a Year or So of New Cars in DLC and maybe a Small, Sensible, Expansion, so the Player can drop in and out at their own Pace again, and that needs a Narrative so long as they can do one under the Age Rating Restrictions) so they had to drop the Story, or Microsoft may well have cancelled the Game outright as it would not have met their Requests for a lower Age Rating... As we can see, the few Story based Racers still left today often tend to be Rated quite a bit above 3/E, DiRT 5 got a 12 (but IMO should have been a 3, as reflected in its US ESRB E Rating, it was GRiD Legends that should have been the 12 Rating IMO, yet it got a 3 in the UK despite, IMO, being far too Intense (Calum McGowan's chillingly Unhinged Performance as the Downright Psychotic Nathan McKane) and Violent (Nathan's literal Attempted Murder of Yumi, and his attempt to pull a Gun (he was going for the small of his back.. that invariably means Gun!) on Doctor Who during their fight in the Pitlane, etc) in some of its Cutscenes for that Rating, yet was a much more accurate T in the US), NFS has, and correctly So IMO, gone as high as 16/M in Recent Years (and IMO, Unbound is vastly under-Rated at a 12/T, with that much Profanity, Blasphemy and Illegality it really should be an 18/M IMO), The Crew, despite being toned down into a much Happier Festival Racer from its Dark and Gritty "NFS Underground meets CSI" Roots on the Request of the Car Companies, still, sadly, suffers with a lot of downright unnecessary Profanity and Blasphemy in its Dialogue, which is part of the "Story", and thus remains a Justified 12/T, so, Story just had to be Binned for FH2 to be able to Exist really due to Microsoft wanting a lower Age Rating for more Sales. It is what it is. Note: Horizon 1's Ending really was an Ending for the Player Character in that Game, as heard with the Sickening Smashing of Metal, and seen with the Scorched Tire Marks on the Road, and the Smoking, utterly Destroyed, Ferrari slammed into the Central Reservation Barrier and "Censor blurred" at the End of the Credits! Fan Theory is that Darius Sabotaged the Ferrari's Brakes causing the Player Character to suffer the Horror Crash seen at the end of the Credits that, given the Car was basically Annihilated, at best would have cost them a Limb and at worst would have Killed them Instantly. Yes, FH1 could Possibly have a "the Hero Dies" ending of the Kind that was just so Popular back then, with Darius in Jail for anything from causing Injury through Misadventure, to Manslaughter (which would certainly explain why we did not see him again for 10 years and why he was so "Rusty" and clearly lacking in his old Skill when he returned for that One Race in FH5! he was in the Nick during that Time Gap!) and the new Champion at best Severely Injured, and at worst, Dead! there did need to be a "Passing of the Torch", so FH2's Ending, as the "Passing of that Torch" to FH2 Player , who then passed over to "Boss" in FH3 and then "Superstar" in FH4, who Returns in FH5 (it is meant to be the same Character in both Games) is actually Appropriate, as the Torch needed to be Passed. Maybe they need to have FH1 Player Return as a Friend/Mentor for the New Player Character in FH6 (If they can bring a Narrative back of course), now 12 Years (or more) Older, Married to Allison, with Children in tow...and with him walking with a very Notable Limp due to a Prosthetic Left Leg as a result of the End of FH1, it would fit within a PEGI 3/ESRB E Rating, and Explain what happened to him. "The Hero Dies" would not fit the Microsoft Mandated Age Ratings, but PGG do need to give us Closure some how if they can! We know that Torben (the New Creative Director) clearly wants the old Characters back, what with both Dak (FH1) and Ashleigh (FH2, and now Confirmed as Dak's Niece!) getting mentioned by Several Characters in FH5 in Recent Updates, as well as Darius's Cameo.. it could be interesting IMO if they can work out how to bring back a Narrative while Still meeting the Extremely Strict Age Rating Requirements that Microsoft has placed on the Game.
The Map(s), the Cars, the Sounds, the vibes & feeling that it gives you while driving on that coastal road… *_Just unmatched._*
Till this day for real. I hope FH6 will beat FH2 vibe.
@@MichaBigBoss I don't think there's any other place in the world that can beat Southern Europe. Even Japan pales in comparison to Cote d'Azur.
@@zerotofifty FH6 really needs to Return to Southern Europe IMO, now they have the much more Powerful Series S/X and PC's to work with, they can easily give us a vastly Larger Map in that Location, something more in line with ETS2 with the DLC's...
Don't talk about fh2 on Xbox 360 😅
Agreed, you fast lane are the only one who knows exactly how I feel bout this game
You even skipped the fact that the soundtrack actually made you feel like you’re at a festival, like you’re in a certain area like Southern Europe. My favourite Horizon Game and top 3 game of all time.
Such a shame they didn't have a French and/or Italian radio station. It would make a great soundtrack even better.
Personally I think after 3, bass arena and pulse felt very tastless and couldn't fit anywhere in the later titles, barely 2 or 3 good songs for each station and the rest is a sleeper
@@uncleham8984 Even Hospital Records kind of topped with 3. The selection in 2 was downright magical
Exactly this. The music felt like you were at an actual European festival listening to music that makes you wanna drive cars to their limit
@@uncleham8984imagine if we got Persona 3 soundtracks on FH2.
Horizon 2 is still the best looking Horizon imo. It looks like how you would visualise a hot, sunny day by the Mediterranean coast in your head. You can almost feel how lush the air is just by looking at it
I don't even need to visualize it as I live in Southern France. Simply put, devs did a phenomenal job with the map as it captures what makes this region of the world one of the most desirable places for tourists but most importantly for petrolheads.
@@pineappleracing6547FH5 is as broken as FH2 XBOX 360.
@@pineappleracing6547Aproveite o seu país enquanto pode porquê os imigrantes "cabeça de toalha" querem mudar tudo por aí, só que pra pior.
Play horizon 2 on a 4k TV and come back to me
@@cavejohnson5796 helps that Horizon 2 doesn’t even render at 4K doesn’t it👍
started it this year and, in my opinion, this is the best horizon, not to mention that my whole music taste is based around this game
FR this game literally is my music taste! And in my opinion the music best matches the game as compared to other horizon games where the music doesn't really fit the vibe.
@@Wrecks-ip4ep FH3 and FH1 both had soundtracks that matched their respective settings.
I'd say that FH4's soundtrack feels too cold and mechanic for a relatively welcoming and traditional looking Britain.
@@Wrecks-ip4ep You hit it on the head man, probably the most perfectly curated soundtrack for it's map/premise of all time.
Yeah i loved listen to Chvrches - The mothers that we chare and cruise around in the game.
@@sartorialdriver6528the songs in FH2 also top notch.
The one thing fh2 did best was making every road meaningful. The problem with fh5 and fh4 is that you can literally drive anywhere to get across the map. It’s nice to have a map where you can go anywhere but it loses the aspect of driving.
Finally someone else pointing this out. I thought I was going crazy with how nobody mentions the removal of proper driving roads in racing games like Red Rock road in FH1, Eagle Crest Road in HP 2010 and the Coastal Road in FH2.
@@zerotofiftySame for the Southern Road in FH3, I dont know why but its just stunning
I agree. I found myself just beelining across the map in an x class car in FH5
What an absolutely beautiful video, mate. I’m playing through FH1 and the points you’ve raised here resonate hard. You’ve got me excited to get into FH2 as soon as I’m done with its prequel.
If only the newer FH games retained the same soul and charm while making progressive improvements in the areas that truely matter. And, thank you so much for that massive shoutout! It’s an honour to have been a part of bringing this to fruition.
Never played FH2?
@@kimreinikainen only played the opening race and that’s it.
@@RetroRangerReviews88 hint. The game has a lot of the secret pathways specially at the coastal road. So take your time and explore every corner.
@@kimreinikainenfor me FH2 still the best Horizon even 10 years after release.
@@purwantiallan5089 agreed
The trees in this game look so good. It blows my mind how they look better than trees in horizon 5
I also like the trees in the new Forza Motorsport.
This game had SUCH a feeling when i was younger. I miss it. I also miss the friends i had back then. Great video. 👍
Glad you enjoyed
used to play this game at my friend's house, can't believe it's been 10 years. To this day this is my favourite forza horizon
For me my favourite Horizon games are only 1 and 2.
Wow 10 years huh. This game is still unmatched imo. It was just so ahead of its time. Newer games are more advanced and maybe even “better” in some ways, but this one felt like the NFSU2 of the 2010s. Horizon 1 came up with the blueprint and the vision (it was itself genre-defining), but FH2 perfected it.
FH2 is without a doubt one of my favourite driving games of all time and it's always nice to see more people enjoying it. That being said, I think there are a few minor details that could've made it even better :
-Horizon Finale is simply impossible to replay once you win it the 2nd time. Did they somehow think that not being able to replay the race would make the 2 times you won it more memorable because the only other explanation was forcing people to play online as it was available in online freeroam?
-Once again, there are no drag races in singleplayer and the only MP drag race is the airport one. This such a shame because there were some amazing spots to do drag racing such as the highway or the straight in Nice.
-This game is responsible for the downgrade in campaign and progression. Wheelspins were introduced in this game making RNG a huge factor for one's progression. As you've pointed out, mid-game story was completely lacking and post-game content is infinitely repetitive. FH1 also had a 2nd free DLC called 1000 Club and they were basically like accolades but for each car and it could've easily been improved for FH2 but instead they completely removed this part of the game.
-Porsche Expansion (another thing you didn't mention) was a weak 3rd expansion compared to what we got in FH3 and Storm Mountain expansion map was copy pasted from a northern-east section of the map. You can even search "fh2 expansion copy paste" on google to confirm it yourself.
-There are no tools to make custom championships or even custom races so you have to do the entire roadtrip just to replay your favourite race.
-They removed custom lobbies and race modes like cat and mouse and replaced it with road trips. While those road trips were pretty fun, drifting during races was incentived as it gave you XP (The one with most XP won the championship) which turned some races into a complete joke. We had to wait until FH4 to get proper online races.
@@zerotofifty Horizon 1 is still peak in the franchise
@@shawklan27 IMO it goes FH1 > FH2 = FH3 > FH4 = FH5
@@zerotofiftyI personally put fh5 ahead of 4 but ik I’m the odd one out
NFSU2 has a FAR FAR better career/campaign.
Horizon is a much better sandbox though.
the first time i ever played Forza in general was FH2 on the 360, yes, ik, it wasnt fh2 on the xbox one, but it was my parents could afford and damn, this brings back hella memories. Great video like always
same, but i got it on the xbox one in like 2017 to 8 year old me it was pure gold and i loved it
I played this game this year for the first time in my life and i fell in love. I swear the car ferry is just like the thing i ecountered irl and basically this whole game feels like vacation, the place, the realistic but stylized graphics, the music. And it just plays so good. Going from place to place and planning the trips in a way to travel along the cliffside is so amazing. I just love this game so much, and i cried while playin it. As a fh1 lover, this became my new fav. And although there are some annoying details, both in presentation (i look at you lack of droplets on the lens during the rain) and in game structure. I think it is amazing. And the race cycle is kinda fun to do, you stick to one car for a bit and then try another, instead of being spammed with vehicles you would never drive anyways. In fh2 i have driven every single car i own, maybe besides 2 or 3 from wheelspins that i missed.
also just checked quickly, the event i saw was onelife rally boarding the ferry to go from orebič to korčula in 2020
I had a similar experience where I played FH2 after FH3 and FH4 and it never felt outdated to me.
@@zerotofifty oh true. I actually played every other horizon game before fh2.
I just didn't have Xbox one up until this year
I’ve played Forza Horizon 2,3,4 and 5. No matter how many racing games come, Forza Horizon 2 has always been the best game to me and will always be. I spent so much time playing Forza Horizon 2 to enjoy it and make me feel good. I’ve played many games now such as GTA,Spiderman, Gran Turismo, WWE 2k23 and 2k24, The enjoyment I had with Forza Horizon 2 will always top all those games combined no matter what. I will play Forza Horizon 2 again with a new progress and enjoy that feeling again. I remember when I got the Xbox One after playing the PlayStation 3 for years and when I got Forza Horizon 2, it was so great. I remember being upset when my parents didn’t let me buy new games and I was stuck playing Forza Horizon 2 for 7-8 years, I was ultimately great full at the end because I had lots of fun. Now I have the ps5 and I’m gonna turn that Xbox one back on to enjoy Forza Horizon 2 to make the fun out of it.
Horizon 2, Driveclub, Horizon 3 and Motorsport 1 to 6 > all 2024 games.
@@purwantiallan5089 yes bro…
Forza horizon 2 had a beautiful map, great songs, nice cars and ofcourse great festival.
I'm so glad I still have a copy of this game on my shelf it's a shame they shut it down but aleast the offline is amazing on its own.
Crusing around in FH2 and doing freeroam races against drivatars will never get boring.
Ultraviolet, your deep dive into Forza Horizon 2 is pure gold! 🏆 Revisiting this iconic game after 10 years really highlights how it reshaped the entire Horizon series. Your detailed analysis of its pre-production, content, and post-launch impact shows why Horizon 2 remains a fan favorite. This video is a must-watch for any racing game enthusiast. Thanks for taking us on this nostalgic journey and reminding us why Forza Horizon 2 is a true classic! 🚗🎮
FH2 is without a doubt one of my favourite driving games of all time and it's always nice to see more people enjoying it. That being said, I think there are a few minor details that could've made it even better :
-Horizon Finale is simply impossible to replay once you win it the 2nd time. Did they somehow think that not being able to replay the race would make the 2 times you won it more memorable because the only other explanation was forcing people to play online as it was available in online freeroam?
-Once again, there are no drag races in singleplayer and the only MP drag race is the airport one. This such a shame because there were some amazing spots to do drag racing such as the highway or the straight in Nice.
-This game is responsible for the downgrade in campaign and progression. Wheelspins were introduced in this game making RNG a huge factor for one's progression. As you've pointed out, mid-game story was completely lacking and post-game content is infinitely repetitive. FH1 also had a 2nd free DLC called 1000 Club and they were basically like accolades but for each car and it could've easily been improved for FH2 but instead they completely removed this part of the game.
-Porsche Expansion (another thing you didn't mention) was a weak 3rd expansion compared to what we got in FH3 and Storm Mountain expansion map was copy pasted from a northern-east section of the map. You can even search "fh2 expansion copy paste" on google to confirm it yourself.
-There are no tools to make custom championships or even custom races so you have to do the entire roadtrip just to replay your favourite race.
-They removed custom lobbies and race modes like cat and mouse and replaced it with road trips. While those road trips were pretty fun, drifting during races was incentived as it gave you XP (The one with most XP won the championship) which turned some races into a complete joke. We had to wait until FH4 to get proper online races.
I loved the use of NFS OST throughout the video. I guess there aren't many people left that played the original games if no one has mentioned it yet but then again it's been 20+ years now.
One of the Few who still Remembers Proper NFS (TNFS-HP2) and those Epic Rom Di Prisko Trance Scores!
I've never seen a video that genuinely made me question if parallel versions of ourselves exist. Not only did the trailers make you save up to by an Xbox exactly as I did, but even the way you describe every point about the game is micron-level accurate to how I feel about Horizon 2 and exactly, down to the syllables, how I would describe it. And then to top things off, we both regretfully (but not really) skipped out on Storm Island. And even your mentioning of nitrous in F&F. Maaaaan. We may just beong lost twins😂
moon
I managed to get my hands on the last copy of Forza Horizon 2 from Amazon France, a few days ago. I kept staring at the disc in disbelief and shed some tears after a wait that lasted almost a decade. I went over to my younger brother and made him leave a NFS Rivals session just to install FH2. When I started the game, I crumbled when I saw the loading screen, remembering that this game is what changed my life forever; the Yellow Huracàn sunkissed by the warm European sunrise, the raindrops on the expensive and vibrant red LaFerrari and a bunch of friends playing ball in the middle of a lavender field with a blue Corvette C7. Forza Horizon 2 was too good that Turn 10 haven't managed to make anything close to it since, let alone being as good.
29:38 bro this game soundtrack from fm4 gives me CHILLS to this day!!!!!
Turn 10 and Microsoft should make a port of this game for PC
Yay Ultra Violet is back for more racing documentary
I once played a demo of this game and I was blown away by how good it looked and played! I really wish I get to play this game completely one day
Horizon 2 was also my first forza game, however I played on the heavily criticised 360 version. Even so I couldn’t really see the differences in the gameplay, and now I’m sure to get the Xbox one version to replay it all over again.
Forza Horizon 2 was also my first horizon game and kinda got me hooked on cars in general.
I remember FH2 had a server browser feature and I would always join a drag racing lobby. I still very clearly remember the strip of road that was used. It was next a festival outpost (or whatever they were called back then) and had a very clear line where it changed from older to newer tarmac. No game chat no nothing, people would get into cars, line up, 1 person would act as the countdown light (3 red lights and you go on the reverse light of the countdown car) and ppl would just drag race. It was so awesome. No words exchanged, no real prize, just pure love of cars and racing. Man I wish I could go back and play it...
I can't believe it's already been ten years. This is absolutely the best horizon. Right in that Goldy locks zone. Although, being a native Coloradoan, horizon one will always be my personal favorite. I grew up 10 minutes away from the real Red Rocks.
Couldn't agree more!
Forza horizon 2 was so far ahead of its time. The graphics, the handling, the incredible map and FUN online. It felt like you were at a festival with others. Best vibe and feel. I hate to imagine how many hours I sank into this game, but it was all so worth it! Beautiful game
I remember waking up one day and launching the game without checking online, then seeing the 918 logo on the loading screen and freaking out. That was still the most excited I’ve ever been for a Forza DLC
Yeah, it's kinda weird how he didn't mention the Porsche Expansion.
First Horizon for me was FH3, then bought FH4 Ultimate Edition physical. Later bought FH5 Ultimate Edition digitally, and well I’m more of a FH4 player than FH5. Now I just got to find my steelbook of FH4 to install the game once again before December 14th. It’s truly sad that FH4 is being delisted due to partnerships ending. FH4 was the game that got all of us Forza players through the covid era.
No rush. It's just no longer being sold. You can still install and play it.
I would donate organs if it meant I could purchase Horizon 2 in its entirety today. It's so beautiful and something I never got to experience, having played the Xbox 360 edition.
same except it is even worse for me because I did not play either of the versions
For me, the ultimate Horizon game. The memories and friendships I made on the roads of Casteletto and Sisteron will last forever
I really loved and prefered FH2 to 1. *But* I also really remember how "disapponting" the final race was compared to the final race of the first installment. This might be nostalgia talking, but my memories of that final FH1 race feel unmatched.
FH1 finale was something you worked towards throughout the whole game while FH2's finale was just a random very long race that you could only play twice.
Somehow FH3 managed to make Goliath even less significant as it was treated the same way as any other race in that game.
FH4 made things a bit better when they made these longer races for each race type and it took some grinding to unlock them.
One of the things that turn me off of the newer games is that you start off at the “top” or some sort of “manager/owner” of the festival. I want to be the underdog again, I don’t want drivatars when I only talk to 5-6 of my Xbox friends and the rest are mutual randoms (who I haven’t talked to since 2018). I want characters with names and personalities to race, who are relevant to the festival. I want to beat rivals and get the best wristband not just help make the festival popular.
FH2 is definitive Horizon. I too was a GT6 diehard but I still got an xbox 1 specifically to get FH2. I truly believe that having certain areas you cant go (preventative elevation and deep water) and solid guardrails adds the complexity of the map and its navigation. It also makes crashing more punishing and driving well more rewarding
I just wish there was a away to play this with all its dlc
Yes, yes yes! This is the only Horizon I want now I have all the others. You're right - this was the biggest leap because of the 360-One transition. Besides a proper DJ organised the tracks.
I just got it and I'm loving it so far!
What a absolute beauty of a video man i looked up forza 2 wanting to experience some nostalgia and instead this video popped up thanks brother 🙏🏼
Thanks a ton!
Great video! I was in a shitty moment at my life but this game kept me busy for a while, it was one of if not the only reason to buy an xbox one back in the day, i have some really good memories with this game and now i really want to replay it.
I remember hearing about FH2 for the first time so clearly. I was in 7th grade and had gotten my 360 a year prior and played FH1 3 times over, I was in an Xbox live party when my buddy told me that they just dropped the FH2 trailer, I couldn’t believe it. I thought he was lying until I saw it for my own eyes… that intro song in the reveal trailer still gives me chills
For the longest time, horizon 2 was the only installment in the series that I haven’t played (for many reasons, including being delisted) until some years back when I had a used copy of the game imported. Playing it for the first time back then I was amazed at how not only did it hold up to the latest game in the series (which, at the time, was horizon 4) but exceeded it in so many ways. Even compared to the latest horizon 5, it still exceeds it in so many ways. I loved horizon 2, and though it became a bit repetitive towards the end (to be fair, I did binge the whole game in like a week), it quickly became one of my favorites in the series. This game is 10 years old yet it barely looks or feels two years old. I only wish I could play the DLCs so I can experience them.
I’d love to see you tackle horizon 3 with similar depth since it’s tied up there with the first Horizon as my favorite game in the series.
Forza Horizon 2 was the last time I felt a racing game was catering to the player. So much of modern game design, especially in Forza, tries to frame the world opening up as you're there as someone special and it's by your command that we shall make this thing happen.
And honestly, that just sounds like work to me.
I want to be apart of the culture, enjoying the music and the ambiance. 2 felt like participating in a Rally going across the south of europe and it got it's vibe down right.
And that point about newer forzas bending the knee to the performance index overlord needs to be said louder. The game can adapt and make computers relative without showing all the numbers. I see a car I want to drive, we can let the game fill in the grid with cars that would seem reasonable to go against even if you gotta throw in a few sandbags to get that number up.
The newer Forzas leave far too much to the imagination of the players. Instead of providing immersion, they just give you a huge sandbox and leave the rest to the player.
That damn dead pixel @30:21 gave me a real good scare. Great video!
The reason i think Forza Horizon 2 was so awesome, is developers with a passion to make a game, that show the love for cars, when driving them. FH3 was the begining of the Cash for gameplay. FH2 was just big enough to have fun and not get bored.
It’s always been my favorite one. Great fun without all of the unnecessary junk. This one is just pure fun.
Glad you enjoy it!
@@UltraViolet_Moses you made a great video here. I agree that the handling & dynamics of the cars was much better in FH2. For a game most people play with a controller they did an amazing job creating an “at the edge of grip” experience. And you are so right about playing the cars in stock form, still just as fun. I have fond memories of playing this game in my man cave with the surround sound cranked and difficulty set way up, and having so much fun. Thanks for making this video, it validated what I’ve thought for years!
Though I’m into sim-racing now, I look back very fondly on the first three horizons, nothing in new games has really matched my excitement when beginning each of those games and playing with my friends online. Wonderful documentation!
Great video man! This got me so nostalgic for FH2, I'd love to see you tackle FH3
Forza Horizon 3 is the reason I switched from PlayStation to Xbox. I wish I could buy and play FH3 again, and I wish that I could experience FH2 and 1.
This was the prime for racing games, by far my favourite racing game ever, forget nfs, gran turismo, this is the best racing game ever made. Crazy to think this came out 10 years ago as well
Couldn't agree more!
Well put together. As always. Horizon 2 was my introduction to the series. I was hooked right from the start. Horizon 2 offered me practically everything that I was missing from the other racing games at the time. A beautiful open world, good combat, a good driving experience...
After that, the series started to fall apart for me. I still loved Horizon 3 very much. Not least because of the beautiful Australia map and the fact that it was the first game in the series on the PC. But unfortunately that's where the problems started. More focus on multiplayer, playlists etc. All things that were heavily expanded in the subsequent instalments.
As somebody who has played every single Forza game, you were 100% spot on. Horizon 2 had every aspect of an awesome racing game. A beautiful map, an extensive story mode, good OST, amazing multiplayer modes, and awesome car sounds. The game was just magnificent.
Not every aspect; the campaign/career is very unbalanced and dissatisfying. But that applies to the whole series, not just FH2 to be fair.
Finally, it's here! This game and its ff car pack has some great old memories with itself,
Amazing video moses, now im waiting for a forza horizon 3 review & how it was a sequel that took 2 steps forward, but down a shallow hill.
Horizon 2 wasn't the first game of its kind. But it definitely marked the direction for the series. FH3 still got me kind of excited but with FH4 I knew that same feeling would be forever lost. They are just unable to keep the same spark that ignited it all.
I would make a long post about my love for this game but I’ll say this; your mention of how this game is like being on a rally is spot on. I think that’s the best way to explain this game. There’s no other game I’ve played that has matched the feel this game exudes.
Also that highway? One of few highways that I’ve seen in a racing that game actually functions as a “fast travel” method than it is a set piece. It wasn’t just placed there, it held an actual function that not many games get to show off
Forza Horizon 1 and 2 were absolute peak racing games of all time. For me personally, the vibe was never the same or as strong as those first two. They felt alive, rich in atmosphere. They got everything right. 1 and 2 are the type of games that make me wanna go back to the exact times they came out.
i just wish my copy wasn't all scratched up, i'd love to play this game again
Bro absolutely amazing video. I love these kind of videos. An in-depth look at something you and your viewers are passionate about, voicing the great parts of older Forza games and taking me on a trip down memory lane. One on FH3 would be super. Thanks for the great video again man.
Glad you enjoyed!
At the time of FH3's demo, I was starting to come back into racing games. While I never did get to play FH3, and is still looking for the chance to, I did get FH2 for free with a gold membership. I think I got lucky with that. I have to thank FH2 for bringing me back into racing games. Without that game, I don't think I would have gotten back into my love of racing games or cars as I did when I was a child.
I feel that, more often than not, this game doesn’t get the credit it deserves. With no 4K update or server support it makes me curious as to why the devs turned a blind eye to this masterpiece. Great analysis as always 🙏
I also love your points about art style and it’s something I couldn’t agree with more. These games with stylistic graphics are able to still look absolutely incredible YEARS after their release. FH2 did an incredible job at being one cohesive type of vibe and really making it feel like summer.
Forza Horizon 3 was my first Forza game so I have my bias around it but I Played FH2 years later and can understand what this game means so much to people the first 3 Horizon games just hit in the right parts of what a racing games mean. FH5 was close but it still missing those vibes
As a PC player I had a similar experience where I played FH3 and FH4 first before buying a Series X and playing FH2.
Then I played FH5 via gamepass when it launched and the last game I played was Horizon 1 when it was (accidentally) relisted for a very short time.
Today, I have them all installed on my Series X and use Quick Resume to compare a car between different games every now and then.
P1 is so timeless, looks better than all new cars 10 years later
The scenery was amazing. I'm Turkish and my grandparents have a beach house along the Aegean coast, driving along the mediterranean ingame feels just like I'm in southwestern Turkey. Couldn't capture that soothing feel with 4 or 5.
Fh2 was my first game ever. I had this little demo on dad’s xbox. I played it around 50 times. Finally someday I decided to buy this masterpiece. Spent hours enjoying cars, music, and the beauty of the map. Every trip, every cutscene. Game had a unique game style. Only thing I could complain was the lack of things to do after second final. They could add more of them. I dont like the way this game serie is going.
Too bad that never reached the Xbox One versión for PC, it's unplayable now
I had this on the Xbox 360, I was always looking for a weather option before realizing I needed a whole new console.
Hearing and experiencing that intro to FH2 when I was younger w/my new Xbox 360E made me scared that I got the wrong game or disk, or that I got hacked LMAO! Gladly, it was anything *but* that, so much more 💙
Horizon 2 is low key probably my favorite. I can just listen to the radio and vibe for hours.
I ended up downloading the full soundtrack for the first 2 games, I play it in my car. Epic, they paid a real world DJ to build a playlist for the first 2.
@@Particle_Ghost That's pretty nice. I should do the same.
I love you for mentioning how driving a completely stock car has lost any meaning in new horizon games.
This was a great video highlighting the importance of Horizon 2 as one of the best the Racing video game genre has ever seen. Wish We'd get a 4k 60fps patch like the first Horizon game.
Before anyone says it's licenses, FH1 received its 4K patch when the game was already delisted.
we need a PC port for this game! Oh and while we are at it, one for FH1, too
Best Forza game (i'm biased cuz i am Italian) but i still enjoy this game to this day, it was my childhood and one of my favorite games of all time cant wait for Forza horizon 6!!!!!
The game that brung me over to the horizon series as a whole and what started it all for me on Xbox One
I still remember buying a Toyota MR2 and turning it into a fake Ferrari F40, and went completely overboard plastering novelty stickers all over the rear bumper and brought it to random car meets
Maybe it's nostalgia bias but horizon 1 and 2 will always be the best. I played 3, 4 and 5, each less and less however. I'm a sucker for progression and in the newer horizons you end up with ferraris and lambos in your garage after less than an hour. I remember playing for hours and hours with my mates from school doing 50 lap races for the cash and XP in horizon 2 because the cars were fun, the tracks were fun, the whole experience was fun. And we'd do that purely so we could have enough money to do a bunch of car challenges vs each other. It all felt earned.
It's not nostalgia bias. Those games are still fun to play today
I feel the same way. I need progression in my games, something I can work towards. I get absolutely no pleasure from always having everything thrown at me from the start. Why the hell should I play if I already have everything? But that's exactly what the masses seem to love. Look at the success of Horizon 5. That's why I don't think we'll ever get anything like Horizon 1 or 2, or even at least 3 again...
IF ZELDA BOTW WAS A RACING GAME!!!
-BEAUTIFUL JUST TO LOOK AT!!!
-BARN YARD FINDS
-SHOWCASES
-EPIC DLC'S
-AUCTIONS
-BUCKET LISTS
-FESTIVAL MUSIC!!!
-BEFORE YOU EVEN GET INTO RACING.
-WEEKLY RACING CHALLENGES FOR CARS
-MAN THEY HAD THE CURE TO INFINITE MONEY
-A NEVER ENDING LIST OF CARS
I REMEMBER PLAYING THIS GAME RELIGIOUSLY AFTER FINISHING THE GAME ALMOST 100%, SELLING CARS, CHALLENGES, EVEN BASHING BOARDS WAS FUN!
THIS VID JERKED SOME TEARS
Great analogy! BOTW is an amazing game!
I still remember seeing the opening movie for the first time, it was breathtaking.
I used to play this game a LOT on my XBOX when I was younger. It's to me the best of all Forza games. So nostalgic ❤❤
Too bad horizon 2 servers were shut down before its 10th anniversary... Would've loved to play an online road trip one last time. For sure, do a video on Horizon 3. It's my personal favorite.
I haven't watched the video but I want to give my opinion on the game before doing so:
I started this game about a month ago after really wanting to play it for a long time (I had only played the 360 demo 💀), and it not only met my expectations, it succeeded them. Coming from replaying Horizon 1 after a decade, it truly felt like everything a sequel should be, and it works so well as a transition between FH1's solid structure and the more freedom-oriented future games, making it in my opinion the best balance of both worlds.
Not to mention the absolute banging soundtrack, most gorgeous visuals in the franchise to this date and overall amazing vibes.
For now, it's my favorite Horizon game (but I haven't played 3 so we'll see)
“Oh yeah, keep the car.” I still remember watching people get that Ferrari within the first hour. It’s unbelievable more people don’t understand how much better of an experience horizon 2 was.
That freedom of being able to do what you want, with the ability to still race in ITALY is awesome. This is my most favourite game of all time, and not just due to the reason above. I remember playing with my dad, and it was awesome. We used to take it in turns to complete the final race, and it was brilliant. Along with specifically the night time graphics, this game just hits different.
This game was my first Horizon too. No racing game ever got me like Horizon. Sometimes I still think back to how ecstatic I was to drive cars like the Charger Daytona, Old Classics, and, of course, the amazing Barn Finds.
Still going strong in Horizon 4! Here’s to you, Horizon!
Also…
BRING BACK THE RENAULT ALPINE A110!
Thankfully atleast Horizon 1 is starting to get emulated so that it isn't lost to time. In time Horizon 2 might get same treatment aswell, it just that it has to be done like this, but what you gonna do.
I'm so sad that I never got to play FH1 and 2. I have 3, but not the Hot Wheels DLC for it.
Anyway great vid. And it is vids like these that make me crave for better racing games. Since it has been done, we know good racing games can be done.
I will never forget the motorway in this game played 360 and Xbox one’s version as well it was insane when playground cared it showed
Even if horizon 4 has my personal favorite map and horizon 3 being the first that i played. I always return to horizon 2. probably because of the map with 6 good cities (nizza and Castelletto are still my fav cities tbh) and it just feels nice to just drive around.
No way this game is ten years old! One of the best racing games ever produced
Not being able to get the XBOX One immediately; I, at first, was disappointed with the 360 version. But the day I was able to upgrade onto the One, there was so much more to the world.
After 10 years of only getting to play Forza Motorsport 1 on Mt Grandparents' origin Xbox, they and my parents surprised me on my birthday with an Xbox One and a copy of Forza Horizon 2, my entry point to modern gaming as a whole. I absolutely adore this game.
Forza Horizon was my first and my favorite overall especially with the music. Forza Horizon 2 is my favorite since the xbox one. A lot of people put FH3 at the top and It is a great game, but with the music and the story and progression of 2 always had me something to do. I rank Forza Horizon games with a heavy weight tied to the music and you can't FH and FH2 all the radio stations have good music.
I see what you did with the, Need For Speed 2 SE menu music in there! Awesome video as always!
That game has captured such a vibe especially in the map, truly the peak of the horizon series. Such a shame it hasn’t been made available for pc cause I really miss driving that coast side road :’(
i played the 360 version and i still loved it even though i seen the good things this game could have been if i had a xbox 1, thats how good the game is
Best lighting I've ever seen in a video game right next to the drive club. Horizon 2 is just a technological open world masterpiece in my opinion especially for its time (if only it had a bit bigger render distance. Idk if it's noticeable while you play it but on videos u can notice it). The map is just so detailed , the car models still hold up very well , great car sounds. The thing that stood out the most to me is the rain in this game and the whole dynamic weather system it had. Despite it being the first introduction into the franchise it is still the best.
Everything just felt really polished and realistic.
Also Storm Island looks insane with it's storm weather.....
Soundtrack list is amazing.
I wanna play it so bad , shame that i don't have a xbox one.
The avatars in this game look better than those in The Crew Motorfest and Solar Crown
Test Drive developers don't have Microsoft money
The dialog and vibe was so natural. I hate how they try to recreate it now and other games a well. The feel good vibe and “funny” and “relatable” dialog is SOOO forced. All open world racing games are trying to follow the same path and it really takes the enjoyment of buying another new title.
They have to follow that Path, because its the only way to get the Car Companies to License nowadays, as more and more Car Companies are now Mandating an ESRB E/PEGI 3 Rating and NO Street Racing In their Licensing Deals in order to protect their Corporate Images in the Middle and Far East.
can someone tell me why Horizon 2 character animations were so lifelike than the absolute uncanny valley Horizon 5 animations . I mean the humans look like theyre made of clay from 3 to afterwards
This was my fovorite horizon and for one thing only... INSTANT REPLAYS!!! Please Bring Back Race Replays. Go back and watch those OOOOOOO SHIIIIII moments.
Remember when sequels improved on the previous game?
I'd actually argue that up until fh4 the games we're actually improving sufficiently for the time periods they had in between to develop the games. I do agree the series suffers from a lack of innovation but I also feel fh3 while retaining the same core felt significantly different for a game coming out 2 years after.
Up until fh5 I mean, fh4 did quite a lot as well even if it messed up in a lot of areas
@@koolkid9119 FH4 had the best online experience after the first year. People conveniently forget how FH3's online adventures were a complete mess.
They always improve, you just have your nostalgia glasses on! Do you have eventlab for example in FH2? Eliminator? Ofc you could say that they still lacking innovation, and with that one i would even agree
@@horvathr95 bro I didn’t play FH2 when it came out, zero nostalgia for it
I 'd pay whatever they asked for a remastered pc version of this game.
I would love to see a Horizon 3 retrospective!
There has yet to be another game that gives me goosebumps like this game. There is something in the cinematics, the location and the celebration of the car that congeals perfectly into this masterpiece that touches all of your senses.
This game came out right at the peak of road car tech with the Triple Crown of cars. P1, 918, La Ferrari. Top Gear was still on TV and getting better with age. There was at the time so much hope and anticipation for what was to come.
Does Horizon 2 hold up today? Yes and no. On my playback a couple years ago, I found the map to be less open that Horizon 4 for example. There was more places you couldn't drive on. This while a nice feature in 4, makes 2 feel more constrictive. This feeling is soon forgiven though as the music of the festival consumes you, the downshift of a Twin turbo V6 or N/A V10 fills your ears. You can almost FEEL the vibrations of the engine. The experience is visceral.
I still have a screenshot/photo moment in the game of when I was driving my Hero car, A 1960's Ford GT40. I didn't know the map yet and was going too fast, hit a roundabout, and launched the car in the air. I paused the game and took a photo mid air, at sunset, in a priceless racecar. This is it, this was Horizon. The moment grabbed me. I fell in love with the experience that it offered.
I was hooked on the series up until Horizon 5, I decided not to get the newest game because I came to realize that its the same formula, same game, just recycled. I stopped at 4. Yet its Horizon 2 that still holds the torch, dare I say Golden Standard , as to what a "car is art" format of an experience and entrainment standard is.
I still listen to the E3 launch trailer sometimes, that Lambo v10 on the seaside mountain road with the perfect music background. The passion is there, and we the audience can feel it.
I'm grateful this game is still something we can go back to. I thank you Ultraviolet for this video and all the other content on Forza you have as you clearly love the games and want them to be good
I thought the finale was amazing. Has been one of my favorites and I always stopped to replay it over and over
They basically had to cut the Narrative for FH2.
Microsoft wanted more Sales, and that meant lowering the Age Rating to a Target PEGI 3 (which it met) /ESRB E (which it failed to meet, getting an E-10 for a reason I Personally cannot Fathom, maybe some of the Female Character Designs?, or Possibly some of the Music?) and given the Story was the core Reason for FH1 getting Rated 12/T (and bare in mind that, nowadays, as of 2024, the Cutscene with Hailey Harper is grounds for an 18 Rating under the new Post 2018 PEGI Rules which are far Stricter than the ones of 2012, although it would still be a T from the ESRB), it had to be Dropped, or they would not get the Lower Age Rating that Microsoft was Requesting (and now literally Demands, all Future Forza Games, post 2019, now have to be Rated PEGI 3/ESRB E under Microsoft's "Forza Safe Space" Corporate Policy, which, unfortunately, could well render it Impossible to ever have a Story in a Horizon Game again without a Professional (and very expensive) Screenwriter who can balance the needs of a Proper Story with the Extremely Strict Nature of the PEGI 3 and ESRB E Ratings, Especially the PEGI 3 Rating which is Government Controlled (as the European PEGI Rating System is controlled by the Video Standards Agency, which is a British Government Department!) and thus is always going to be far Stricter! they really do need to bring back a Narrative if they can do so however, as this Live Services FOMO Chore Chart Direction that Mike Brown went down with FH4/5 just is not Working as it has turned the Game into a Job! They need to go back to a Long, Proper, Single Player Campaign as part of a Game that is pretty much 90% Complete at Launch Minus a Year or So of New Cars in DLC and maybe a Small, Sensible, Expansion, so the Player can drop in and out at their own Pace again, and that needs a Narrative so long as they can do one under the Age Rating Restrictions) so they had to drop the Story, or Microsoft may well have cancelled the Game outright as it would not have met their Requests for a lower Age Rating...
As we can see, the few Story based Racers still left today often tend to be Rated quite a bit above 3/E, DiRT 5 got a 12 (but IMO should have been a 3, as reflected in its US ESRB E Rating, it was GRiD Legends that should have been the 12 Rating IMO, yet it got a 3 in the UK despite, IMO, being far too Intense (Calum McGowan's chillingly Unhinged Performance as the Downright Psychotic Nathan McKane) and Violent (Nathan's literal Attempted Murder of Yumi, and his attempt to pull a Gun (he was going for the small of his back.. that invariably means Gun!) on Doctor Who during their fight in the Pitlane, etc) in some of its Cutscenes for that Rating, yet was a much more accurate T in the US), NFS has, and correctly So IMO, gone as high as 16/M in Recent Years (and IMO, Unbound is vastly under-Rated at a 12/T, with that much Profanity, Blasphemy and Illegality it really should be an 18/M IMO), The Crew, despite being toned down into a much Happier Festival Racer from its Dark and Gritty "NFS Underground meets CSI" Roots on the Request of the Car Companies, still, sadly, suffers with a lot of downright unnecessary Profanity and Blasphemy in its Dialogue, which is part of the "Story", and thus remains a Justified 12/T, so, Story just had to be Binned for FH2 to be able to Exist really due to Microsoft wanting a lower Age Rating for more Sales. It is what it is.
Note: Horizon 1's Ending really was an Ending for the Player Character in that Game, as heard with the Sickening Smashing of Metal, and seen with the Scorched Tire Marks on the Road, and the Smoking, utterly Destroyed, Ferrari slammed into the Central Reservation Barrier and "Censor blurred" at the End of the Credits! Fan Theory is that Darius Sabotaged the Ferrari's Brakes causing the Player Character to suffer the Horror Crash seen at the end of the Credits that, given the Car was basically Annihilated, at best would have cost them a Limb and at worst would have Killed them Instantly. Yes, FH1 could Possibly have a "the Hero Dies" ending of the Kind that was just so Popular back then, with Darius in Jail for anything from causing Injury through Misadventure, to Manslaughter (which would certainly explain why we did not see him again for 10 years and why he was so "Rusty" and clearly lacking in his old Skill when he returned for that One Race in FH5! he was in the Nick during that Time Gap!) and the new Champion at best Severely Injured, and at worst, Dead! there did need to be a "Passing of the Torch", so FH2's Ending, as the "Passing of that Torch" to FH2 Player , who then passed over to "Boss" in FH3 and then "Superstar" in FH4, who Returns in FH5 (it is meant to be the same Character in both Games) is actually Appropriate, as the Torch needed to be Passed.
Maybe they need to have FH1 Player Return as a Friend/Mentor for the New Player Character in FH6 (If they can bring a Narrative back of course), now 12 Years (or more) Older, Married to Allison, with Children in tow...and with him walking with a very Notable Limp due to a Prosthetic Left Leg as a result of the End of FH1, it would fit within a PEGI 3/ESRB E Rating, and Explain what happened to him. "The Hero Dies" would not fit the Microsoft Mandated Age Ratings, but PGG do need to give us Closure some how if they can! We know that Torben (the New Creative Director) clearly wants the old Characters back, what with both Dak (FH1) and Ashleigh (FH2, and now Confirmed as Dak's Niece!) getting mentioned by Several Characters in FH5 in Recent Updates, as well as Darius's Cameo.. it could be interesting IMO if they can work out how to bring back a Narrative while Still meeting the Extremely Strict Age Rating Requirements that Microsoft has placed on the Game.