Forza Motorsport 4 vs. Forza Motorsport 3 - side by side comparison

Forza Motorsport 3 was one good looking game, but Turn 10 have upped the ante once again.
The major difference is the lighting. It is absolutely amazing, looks a lot more natural. HDR rendering is a lot better, especially when driving out of a tunnel, where we saw a weird dazzling effect in FM3, which looked kind of violet.
Thanks to a technique called image based lighting we also get amazing reflections, especially on cars. Shadows have been improved nicely, mostly inside the cars with the cockpit view selected. The dynamic shadow movement looks really good, as do the sun glares.
Car models looks fairly similar during races (but we have up to 16 cars on track this time), but they really shine in the menus, especially in the Autovista feature.
Photo mode has also been improved, and they have added a 3840x2160 resolution option, so taking photos will be a really a fun thing to do. We will probably see lots of artistic pictures from the community in the coming months.
This is mostly a graphics comparison, but you can see a difference in handling as well. Driving the Golf or the Renault 5 is more tricky in FM4, they do like to lose grip.
The handling in general has been greatly improved, it feels a lot more natural, but of course it is not an actual simulation, and it is not arcade either. I think it is the perfect thing in between.
Both games were captured at 1280x720, but I decided to put them together in a 1920x1080 frame with 1:1 pixel mapping. The clips were cropped by 12.5 % on the sides, but there was no scaling applied, that way you can see more details on a big screen.
The Forza 3 clips may seem a bit jerky sometimes, that is because I had to use time stretching to match the laps as closely as possible, which is very hard to do while driving, mostly because lap times in Forza 4 are significantly longer (between 5-10 seconds).
I have not yet checked what happens to the sound when time stretching a video, so I only included the game sound from Forza 4. I will test this next time I am doing a comparison of some sort.
HQ 1080p 15 Mbps - rapidshare.com...
Check out my other videos, and my website at www.hearselands...

[@EpiCQuickkie]

Vehicle models in 4 are better but the tracks look better in 3

[@tachykard01]

That's true (y)

[@jondoe377]

Interior models of 4 are terrible. Just look at how much further back the driver seat camera is in 4, the gauges and windshield are both much smaller which makes them harder to see and see out of. Posers enjoy useless dashboard details, serious racers want a realistic seating position. I can assure you the infotainment screen is not in the peripheral vision when focusing on the road at speed. I'm trying to race, not recline the seat back to get imaginary roadhead. Not that many notice this since most posers use the 3rd person roof cam just to do fake drift powerslides, and crash into walls instead of using the brakes.

[@mr.2cents.846]

You might be right. I love the lusher larger trees in Maple Valley in Forza 3.

[@courtcox7075]

I just got a used 360 to play these since I only have a series s and the 360 was 50 bucks and the games were 5 lol but anyway lol definitely facts! Ive been playing career on 4 but 3 for no reason and I'm like 3 looks better??? Lmao not the cars but everything else haha

[@veganskeletons4131]

Even the tracks in 2 look better

[@djgynee]

Every once in a while you get to watch a video that shows you EXACTLY what you were looking for and this one has done an amazing job of doing that. Great video. This helped me make a decision thanks

[@ztikmaen]

The cloudy weather in FM3 makes it look more realistic sometimes, less vibrant and perfect. But the graphics in FM4 are amazing

[@jacobreed47]

It is May 2015. I game on my 360 and my PS4. But the other day I bought FM2 for the 360. After installing the entire disc before playing to quicken the loading times etc. It is actually a beautiful and fun game. I mostly play FM4 even to this day, but gotta say FM2 is amazing , and only $2.75 used at Game stop. Under 3.00!! But for this comparison, I gotta say FM4 is better than FM3. Even better than FM2. But guys, buy FM2 for under 3.00 is fun and cheap!!

[@outcastnitewolf5347]

Here's a difference: forza 4 has backfire and moving aero parts

[@gstrdms]

I still think the lighting is obnoxiously bright in 4.

[@Ahmadali-er2gn]

Are u blind

[@shafinawal7912]

@@Ahmadali-er2gn nah he aint blind its a fact lmao

[@xbox360forever3]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aH2Wn2BnbaZjqtk Totally agree, in fact I'm making some mods on FM4 to improve sky color and lights. Watch this example/comparison for Mugello track, or the other I've posted above for Road America track.

[@jbkahl]

I personally think the shades and colors are better in 3

[@warlockboyburns]

Forza 4 sacrifices tree foliage for a more detail car.

[@mr.2cents.846]

I often felt that the cars look rather realistic. While the environment rather cartooney.

[@krisp2106]

( better take both games, they're brilliant)

[@courtcox7075]

I like how you can see the tac in 3 on the actual dash. I never liked how dark 4 was. It makes you use the HUD and bought 4 used a few months ago so I don't have the Porsche dlc so I like how 3 came with it.

[@lonelysamurai2384]

The 3 is better beacuse the graphics is better a little bit (no ultimate lights) and the cars are more cooler and they has better voices and the car crashes is cool modelled AND YES I PLAY FORZA MOTORSPORT 3 IN 2020 lol

[@xbox360forever3]

Great. I still play both in 2022.

[@BraiaCorno]

​@@xbox360forever3Same in 2024

[@xbox360forever3]

@@BraiaCorno If you wish, watch my comparison between the unlocked framerate NFS Shift and FM4 (and other my unlocked framerate projects on my channel). It's impressive how good NFS Shift unlocked graphically is compared to the still great FM4

[@BraiaCorno]

@@xbox360forever3 I already watched it once a few months ago. and man, NFS Shift is visually impressive, even more so in the cockpit view. It's a shame that the same cannot be said about physics.

[@jetboy001]

THNX for putting the time and effort into this video for us. Helped me make a choice.

[@mr.2cents.846]

Yes. This video is a really good job.

[@yrrr4871]

Fm4 lighting brighter than my future

[@tachykard01]

5.55 forza 3 looks better also the trees in maple valley does look better in my opinion... otherwise f4 has more detailed car design and better lighting Effekts + better engine sounds and more cars... Forza 4 is a small update that's about it

[@Kiss__Kiss]

3 Looks more realistic track-wise, while 4 looks more refined. If that makes sense.

[@xbox360forever3]

Agree

[@donkeybizle]

Forza 3 looks better, more alive and healthy. While Forza 4 has improved cockpit shading and smaller interior details, it still looks a lot more pale and bland. Anyone see that?

[@PeterHope2]

To be honest...I think the physics improved that much from forza 3 to 4, that Horizons physics are probably close to forza 3's lol

[@M4sealthonator]

the only thing i hate about forza 4 is that the music its not the same as forza 3

[@Phenom98]

Yeah race music sucks ass

[@callecam]

Shiny car > Shiny road Forza 3 > Forza 4

[@ayylmao4142]

callecam the shiny road is called BLOOM

[@JuliusPalma05171997]

The display on Forza 3 is like an AMOLED display. On Forza 4, it's LCD.

[@skilledsniper7978]

Now let's be realistic here, sense that is basically what we are talking about When the Bugatti hit the barrier at 5:20 instead of bouncing back with a little paint tearing, like it did, the car would have gone through the barrier and through the 2 fences and gone on forever passed the boundaries of the game. Did anyone ever even think of that when putting in the "Detail" of the game? Okay so I get the idea, it's not actually supposed to do that but at least make the car blow up or something jeez.

[@osian4182]

that would have been a waste of coding as it is pointless. the physical damage is not important in Forza only the internal damage to car components. physical damage modelling is more of a code masters thing such as Grid and Dirt

[@philippsn]

I think the tracks looks better in forza 3. But the cars looks, especially in the cockpit perspective, much better in forza 4. (thats only my opinion)

[@mr.2cents.846]

Your opinion is right.

[@bagg10101]

Forza 4 just looks more bright, sunny, & shiny. They still haven't fixed the windscreen's, in that it looks like there is no glass in the frame. Forza 4 was disappointment for me:less cars, (out-of-box), not enough new tracks, no night races, no variable weather conditions. I would have preferred to have more tracks instead of autovista. Had I not played Forza 3, I would have really rated 4; but as it stands, Forza 4 feels more like Forza 3 1.1, rather than a true follow-up.

[@Wingull3]

Forza 4's Added shaders and gloss to things made it a nice improvement.

[@Thetalinshow]

Forza 4 did not put in endurance races for single player...but forza 3 did....so why the hell did forza 4 put in Tire ware and Fuel consumption and pits!!! its pointless No race on single player is long enouph to even use the pits to get new tires and more fuel......People say go online and set ur own endurance race...which you can But for online you cant use fuel or tire ware....so why the fuck did they add that to the game if you can never run out fuel, or lose tire grip.....they should have at least added that to online so you could use that feature...I liked forza 3 better haha...

[@jondoe377]

Interior models of 4 are terrible. Just look at how much further back the driver seat camera is in 4, the gauges and windshield are both much smaller which makes them harder to see and see out of. Posers enjoy useless dashboard details, serious racers want a realistic seating position. I can assure you the infotainment screen is not in the peripheral vision when focusing on the road at speed. I'm trying to race, not recline the seat back to get imaginary roadhead. Not that many notice this since most posers use the 3rd person roof cam just to do fake drift powerslides, and crash into walls instead of using the brakes.

[@JohnDaubSuperfan369]

Big man, calling kids posers online 😂 I agree with the seat positioning, but you, mate, are a fucking knob 🙏🏼

[@courtcox7075]

My biggest complaint of fm4!

[@mr.2cents.846]

In Forza 4 Turn 10 use IBL: image based lighting

[@NathanKirby2001]

Forza 3 has softer lighting forza 4 feels like battlefield 3 with its lighting

[@Guitar387]

Why does Forza 3 look better it's an older game ???

[@Yumi851]

I have the ultimate collection on FM3 and i think its better because there are more cars and are faster , but forza 4 has somewhat better graphics

[@maxryu100]

forza 4 have best light shadow and textures effect, look awesome

[@lixMxil24]

guys, i tried forza 3 at a friend house and i absolutely loved it, i really liked the driving, the graphic and most importantly, the tracks, as i am huge fan of racing games that are set in a cool locations such as green lands with waterfalls, snow mountings etc i am thinking of getting forza but i am not sure whether i should get 3 or 4, as the video shows, the graphic in 4 are better, but are the locations (the visuals) of the tracks as good as forza 3? and which game has the better driving mechanics? which game has more cars and tracks? thx :)

[@megamadmaniac7011]

Forza 3 was a worse game than Forza 4. It's obvious. It had so many more features and a better career

[@mlgfatkid35]

MegaMad Maniac did it have endurance no

[@PeterHope2]

Forza 4's physics are much better. Better graphics, better lighting, and much better things to do...like rivals mode.

[@kylechambers]

Anyone notice the more vibrant detail in the distant backgrounds of the tracks? For example, the grain silos and grass texture quality and variation in the first turn of the Maple Valley circuit at 1:16

[@THU31]

FM4 was a much more detailed game - environments, cars, lighting, shadows. But with this particular track, I prefer the look of FM3. The trees feel more real to me, and most of them are a variation of orange. It is just really pleasing to my eyes.

[@kipbarrett8172]

you can enable online tyre wear and fuel consumstion.. simulation damage does tgat the problem is all people want to do is drag race and show of modded cars :/

[@KevAlberta]

forza 4 has a couple things up on the 3rd one. cockpit has better shadowing/lighting. environment has better shadowing/lighting. sense of speed is better. and when the Bugatti crashed only the front was damaged, how its supposed to be, and not the whole car like fm3.

[@mikecustoms]

they look the same to me, at moments, forza 3 looks better, damage is exactly the same on both, the only real difference is that forza 4 uses an exagerated amount of light on the reflections, honestly, 60+ for forza 3 with unrealisitc light, sold as forza 4? and some people actually believe that forza is the best looking game ever, are these ppl serious?

[@Kkpblue]

Is it me or does the lighting on forza 4 look a little unrealistic, especially around 4:45?

[@Peezy_Rh]

what did you think is better forza 3 or forza 4?

[@gamelook8217]

Forza 3 more crash physics

[@ToroRojo83]

FM4's sense of speed is much better than FM3 and GT5

[@a.b.falthani3990]

What is the name of that track ?

[@elfboy443]

Wait...why does the tail kick out on that VW? I've driven both the GTI and R and neither of them do that...even at some really high speeds...You'd have to work them up into a slide like that.

[@sumeetsingh2370]

There is car clubs, top gear content, autovista and world tour. I think it's worth it but I got mine for 25$.

[@mans1to]

the track is better in FM3, the cockpit is better in FM4.

[@jackmarwick6847]

Horizon ftw and forza 4 But there honestly isn't much of a difference

[@chaz9123]

@ThatAfroDude bloom and textures on the road theres more details in the cars and better modeling not just the colour and better reflective surfaces just to start with :P

[@ramonotten6756]

What track is used on 05:11?

[@THU31]

Old Le Mans circuit, without the chicanes.

[@lloydhunat8815]

Forza 3 is more better because the game at the forza 4 is a little bit chrome

[@arifanasbaloch]

Forza 3 is better

[@gamefan56]

arif al buloshi how?

[@somadutta3091]

Forza 4 is better actually

[@Mojoeda]

what track is the veyron on?

[@menjoSIM]

Le mans

[@TheDrunkenReturn]

yeah i noticed the shaders look better

[@Jamxknife]

Driving at high speeds looks better on fm4

[@LeonardoBruno54]

Turn the assis off dude, cmon!

[@kosapat150]

the lightening is a big difference look at how cars look like from the outside you can see all the reflection is way more realistic also when you drive a car you see the difference the speed is felt better in forza 4 theres loads of differences but i can tell you didnt play the game just looked at the videos comparing it

[@RcZandMore]

Xbox 360 ONLY

[@MrTokedo]

are they both pc.

[@nova4747]

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

[@jimmywhidded2879]

forza 4 have for xbox 360?

[@solafmohammed3606]

yh

[@elfboy443]

Alright that makes sense. I was confused as hell hahaha

[@Dilo22]

Things have changed since GT3 o_o

[@beastbee0118]

Anyone want to play Forza Motorsport 3? Gamer tag is ExoGeniVI

[@dannyBtech]

im in the saame boat .... i want open world but i also want the great handling phsycs of forza 3 ...iu just hope horizon aint like nfs .... CRAP l;

[@GWARgun]

forza 4 is much better

[@esticazzindolometti]

I prefer Forza 3....

[@RiceBowl142]

Forza 3 has the GT5 graphic feel. Dull and a bit gloomy looking.

[@DavidMCT996]

i wanted a better forza 4 this forza 4 looks like a forza 3 remastered

[@proxr440mod]

Get Forza 2 If you want To have Some fun Lmao It's a Great Game For its Time.

[@d1jal]

The tracks aren't even correctly modeled!

[@aSexyPotato123]

forza 3

[@TriperFliper]

realy guys i see only little differences but the games nearly the same

[@flightjam]

i'd go with forza 4

[@PeterHope2]

You're talking rubbish. Forza 4 is far superior. The physics are vastly improved. The graphics are so much better and the lighting effects look amazing when playing the game. Also much more added game play wise. Don't judge the game by watching some uploaded video on KZbin.

[@shafinawal7912]

No is talking rubbish its opinions tbh those opinions are facts and what ur saying is that the lighting effects are far better in forza 4 than forza 3 wrong no it's not take a good look

[@shafinawal7912]

Plus there is not much of a difference than seeing a game on video than compared to game on tv tf

[@XBOXNationTVHD]

Forza 4 is more realistic

[@xXminijoshiXx]

Forza 4 > Forza 3

[@PinkLaneRadio]

i was quite annoyed that forza 3 & 4 are basically the same game!

[@diegoleo7]

interiors on forza 3 are really bad... time to get forza 4! (:

[@LeviathanVZ]

the ONLY reasons I am thinking about getting Forza 4 is because 1, Forza 3 is dead, and 2, Forza Horizon got boring after a week, 3, i'll be getting it really cheap from a friend.