I'm still playing this. I'm level 25. It's great fun. I still don't really know what's going on or what I'm meant to be doing, but I equip new stuff, batter enemies, and repeat. I know you're meant to play with other people, but alone it's still great. Despite Diablo 3 being loved by loads of people, this is my biggest surprise in a long time.
Forza Horizon 2 can often feel like the best bits of Codemasters racers mashed together: the emphasis on fun, the tight city-based circuits, the drifting around sweeping off-road corners and the irritating yet oddly endearing banter.
It's no surprise when you consider Playground's background, a collection of former staff from Codies itself, along with Bizarre Creations, Ubisoft Reflections, Evolution and others that seem to have come into their element when given the freedom of the open road.
It isn't without its problems: as Steve mentioned in his review, the structure of Horizon 2's championships can soon become tiresome, and I've never quite understood why Playground insists on charging the player a not insignificant amount of money to fast travel that could be better spent on cars.
But the racing is so exciting and moreish that it manages to get away with it. Horizon 2 is the best open-world racer Codemasters never made and, for my money, the first must-have exclusive on Xbox One.
This week I've been playing Forza Horizon 2, a game that's so full of genuine joy it makes the Katamari series look like they were designed by QPR-supporting Siberian gulag inmates. I personally prefer it to 'main' Forza (and Gran Turismo), because in those games, you can't drive a Lamborghini over a field like a madman, write it off, and then laugh about it later. Especially GT. No laughs to be found there.
Read my review here, and then ask yourself: what could this embargoed space game be? Find out next week, yeah?
I've been having an awful lot of fun with Smash Bros. on 3DS. I've also felt like I've been gradually getting better, and more confident playing the game on higher difficulties. I always thought the block button was a myth, but it turns out it's actually pretty useful, especially against the final boss (which has a great twist I won't spoil here).
Trophy collecting also becomes very addictive. Although I've spent very little time reading the bios attached to each trophy, I feel an obsessive need to complete the collection.
I can't wait for the game to launch in the UK to start getting StreetPass hits and more frequent online matches, where I'll no doubt realise I'm still pretty rubbish at Smash Bros.
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter Tweak Guide
Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Bag And Drag
Dreamcast turns 15 (in Europe)
Advanced Warfare: One Last Look
Dark Souls 2: Crown of the Old Iron King – Quicksword Rachel, Scorching Iron Scepter