Gaming

Forza Motorsport helped me grow up and still love fast cars

A transition from the wacky to the reality

Published

October 9, 2023

Gab Orlina

As a racing game enthusiast, any chance I got to play a simulated racing game made me feel giddy inside. Since getting my hands on my first console, titles like Crash Team Racing, Ridge Racer, and Need for Speed dominated my headspace. Safe to say that I got drawn to fast cars, and only wanted to finish ahead of the pack in the fastest way possible.

To be honest, organized motorsport would be the last thing that I’ll try out within the racing game space. There’s just a lot of things to consider even within your vehicle of choice, especially if you want to improve speed and handling. Also, a huge part of my racing experience revolves around the game just automatically showing me how fast my car could be. Even in supposed motorsport games like Forza Motorsport, speed would still be my priority.

As I grew older, however, I became a bit more open to these types of racing simulation games. Of course, the nostalgia coming from remastered versions of the racing games I grew up on outweighed this sudden interest. Ever since I gained access to better hardware and subscription services, I decided to try them out to see if I will appreciate them to any extent.

Learning how to operate a vehicle

I have to admit that Forza Motorsport had a bit of a learning curve when you first play it. This is especially true if you’re coming from a background of wacky racing games with gimmicks and everything is done for you. Even though I already had some prior experience playing a Forza game like Forza Horizon 5, Motorsport dives deeper into the racing than free roam driving.

Similar to most of the games within Forza’s extensive library, you can tweak your driver settings depending on your comfort. By default, you will have most of the driving-related settings on Automatic (brakes, mode of driving, assisted turns, etc.) to ease you in. I did appreciate the fact that you could do this and they give you a good explanation of what happens when certain settings are active.

When you’re using the controller, its controls are pretty easy to get around; think Mario Kart or Rocket League when it comes to acceleration and brakes. Unlike all the wacky racing games I played, I’m using simulated versions of actual sports cars and the controller will make you feel that through haptic feedback.

Understanding the environment

Here’s a quick side story: I remember on my first day of my driving lessons, I literally bumped a sign post that was on the road. In my defense, I was aware for a brief moment that it was there but I was busy learning how to operate the car I was using. Similarly, with my first race in Forza Motorsport, I took several bumps along some of the tracks trying to get a feel of it, and I scratched my head every time.

Speaking of the tracks, Motorsport for 2023 gave us 20 unique tracks built and based on some of the world’s premier race areas. I literally had to stop the game and go into Photo Mode to get a glimpse of the accuracy at which they rendered everything. I mean, even the crowd watching the races were included into the environment – especially when I was going through practice races.

Going back to those bumps, I also found it rather funny that the level of detail extends even to scratches on decals. The developers did such a wonderful job rendering all the vehicles at your disposal, and even went the extra mile to show you the damage you’ve done. Also, just to give another shout out to Photo Mode, I’m quite happy that you could just remove decal damage there and then it gets removed upon exiting.

Off to the races

By this point, I’ve gotten used to how the vehicles operate, how the tracks go, and how most of the other controls work. Much like driving school, here comes the first checkpoint on my road to getting into virtual motorsport: the practical driving actual racing. I decided to go around three different tracks to see how I would stack up: Suzuka, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and the Le Mans.

In the simplest way possible, Forza Motorsport is as straightforward of a racing game as you can imagine. It’s a simulated race with no special gimmicks, no powerups, no shortcuts, and you can’t drift to go faster. There’s also a blue line that sort of guides you in terms of the best possible path to take when racing bumper to bumper with 19 other cars. Basically, it’s organized racing with fast cars.

My transition from wacky to organized went as well as I thought it would – kinda bad. It’s one thing to know how to steer the car while controlling your input on the gas and brake. However, it’s an entirely different thing when you consider that the vehicle you’re driving doesn’t handle well, or it takes a deeper press of the left trigger to apply the brakes. Although, I still managed to finish first in Suzuka so that’s a good start.

If you ain’t first, build a faster car

After three races, I wanted to understand how I could further improve the cars I chose to race with since I noticed they gained levels. It’s a feature that they introduced within the main Forza Horizon series as Car Mastery, which would allow you to utilize certain perks the more XP you gain. In Motorsport, it comes in the form of levels with car upgrades to enable it to go faster and give you more control.

The thing though is, well, I’ve never really had any experience tinkering the inside of any car. Even my little experience in Forza Horizon 5 didn’t help me out with this one. Of course, Forza Motorsport lends you a hand by showing you which parts to upgrade and how it affects your car’s overall stats. Yet, I barely understood what I was even doing or what I was upgrading throughout the whole time. I even opted to just press “Quick Upgrade” and the game just automatically showed me the upgrades needed to make the car faster.

Luckily, the Career Mode known as the Builders’ Cup kinda helped me out in that regard. In Career Mode, you basically get to race in circuits with specific types of vehicles built for each. This requires you to purchase or rent only a set amount of vehicles and limit the upgrades to fit the circuit you’re in. Also, the races are quite fun and you get to test out your upgrades properly.

A lengthy drive home

After everything I had done to learn more about this game, I felt the need to just do one more practice run before calling it a day. This time, however, I decided to just turn off all the automatic settings and go manual – with a clutch pedal, too. After all, if I couldn’t drive a car on manual transmission in real life, I might as well do it here.

During the practice run that went on for 20 laps, I started to get the groove of things. From the way the vehicle turns to the gear shifting with the clutch, it felt right. I just found myself coasting through the track, with some hiccups but no bumps this time! This was, for me, the second checkpoint to appreciating virtual motorsport: the practical test; safe to say, I passed!

Forza Motorsport was simple enough to understand and get by with little assistance. Of course, for new players, there is a learning curve to all the features, the vehicles, the tracks, and everything in between. Once you’re in, you will just enjoy what the experience has to offer — no gimmicks, nothing wacky to get in your way.

It’s strategic, organized, and resembles that of driving an actual car — and, I’ve grown to like that now. This game reinforced my love for fast driving in racing simulators, just with a bit more maturity in acknowledging that you don’t need wacky gimmicks to enjoy it.

Gaming

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang partners with global fast food giant

Jollibee GameJoy x MLBB combos launched for in-game rewards, collectibles

Published

May 19, 2026

GadgetMatch

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has leveled up its partnership with the Philippines’ leading fast food chain, Jollibee.

MLBB players may have already secured the Jollibee emote on the popular 5-on-5 MOBA title.

And this time, the campaign is rolling out the GameJoy x MLBB Combos, available nationwide at Jollibee stores until August 19.

This seeks to sustain player engagement through a mix of physical hero card collectibles and exclusive in-game rewards available with every GameJoy combo purchase.

The combos are available in five variants, all priced at PhP 169:

Yumburger
Jolly Hotdog
Special Cheesy Yumburger
Crunchy Chicken Sandwich
Original Cheesy Yumburger

Each combo comes with fries, a drink, and the Peach Mango Pie.

Customers who avail of these combos will then get a GameJoy x MLBB pack, which includes one physical collectible card and a PIN which can be used to redeem mystery rewards within the title.

Players can expect skins, emotes, fragments, avatar borders, and the sought-after MLBB all-skin unlock.

For Jollibee, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang collaboration is a follow-up to its GameJoy x Unipin partnership last year, targeting audiences who are into mobile gaming while offering their affordable menu items.

MLBB is the most-played mobile game in the country, so the promo is expecting a warm reception.

Gaming

Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales set for physical SEA launch

Pre-orders now open

Published

May 19, 2026

GadgetMatch

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is set for a Southeast Asia physical edition launch on June 18.

Bandai Namco and Square Enix announced the developed. In addition, digital editions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Microsoft Store are now available for pre-order.

Those who place pre-orders will receive Elliot’s Departure Pack, which includes various items that can give the protagonist an edge.

There’s the Departure Brooch accessory, which increases the amount of currency and magicite fragments dropped by enemies. On the other hand, there’s also the Attack Up sword Magicite.

In addition to the standard digital edition, the Digital Deluxe Edition is also available for pre-order, and includes these perks:

Fairy Bangle accessory
Cherry Blossom Anklet accessory
Roselle Ring accessory

Meanwhile, the physical Collector’s Edition comes with the base game, original soundtrack, and desk clock statue featuring Faie.

In The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, the duo of Elliot and Faie traverse a vast world across four ages.

This world is teeming with enemy hordes, hidden caves, and ancient ruins. Elliot can wield seven weapon types, from close-quarters swords to versatile chains and sickles.

Each weapon is customizable through magicite, allowing players to tailor their combat style. On the other hand, Faie’s powerful Magic is formidable in and out of battle.

The title will also feature several new and improved features, based on feedback from the Debut Demo.

This includes faster movement speed, refinements to the weapon shortcut menu, and additional difficulty options.

Gaming

The best Tokyo tour package that is Forza Horizon 6

Discover Japan like a first time traveller

Published

May 14, 2026

Gab Orlina

Ever wanted to visit Japan despite an ongoing fuel crisis crippling your total travel budget? Have you ever wanted to visit iconic tourist destinations like Shibuya Crossing or Mt. Fuji? Did you ever have dreams of becoming the drift king like in Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift? Well, we have good news for you!

On May 19, you’ll be able to do all three of these things as Playground Games will finally release Forza Horizon 6 across all platforms. From an overall lens, the game is slated to build off the incredible features the franchise is best known for, now in a totally different side of the world. Experience a unique kind of car culture only famously featured within popular movie franchises, while also exploring another side to Tokyo reimagined for both new and returning players to the series.

So come, take advantage of this once in a lifetime tour package, complete with the following amenities suited to hopefully make the trip to Tokyo worth it!

Sight-seeing, your way

Forza Horizon 6 features a highly populated simulation of Tokyo with tons of activities to do, sights to see, and Horizon events to satisfy your thirst for action. From street racing to experiencing the hustle and bustle of food deliveries, Playground Games wasted no time in nailing most aspects of Japan’s culture. Of course, that also includes popular tourist attractions like Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower and the Rainbow Bridge.

I mentioned in the early preview that the developers divided all of Tokyo into different sections with their own checklists on what to do and things to collect. When looking at the full game, this list is actually a lot more expansive and comes with its own scorecard for exploration called Discover Japan. It’s similar to your Horizon Events progression, right down to the tasks and rewards so the experience wouldn’t be too unfamiliar.

SEE MORE: Forza Horizon 6 already hits the mark

All of these are within your control and pace as you progress deeper into the Horizon Events, with more areas and activities to explore the further along you are. Honestly, it ends up that you’ll accomplish these things fluidly given the amount of driving you’ll be doing so plan your itinerary ahead!

Reimagining Japanese car culture

Speaking of those Horizon Events, the staple of the entire Forza Horizon franchise once again features a unique blend of racing that is authentic to the place it represents. In the case of Japan, that’s basically all the types of races you’ve already seen in most Fast and the Furious movies, especially Tokyo Drift. And yes, you will have access to a plethora of cars that you can finetune to your liking for the best performance in all the races.

Much like in previous games, there are also pockets of events called Stories that venture into specific aspects of Japanese car culture through the lens of the characters in-game. From day-trips to learning how to be a DK or “drift king,” these were designed not only to help with game progression but to expose a culture to those who are only hearing about it now. Also, some of the events can be quite challenging even for returning and experienced players.

This even extends into multiplayer features and Horizon Stunt Events that allows you to show off your skills and your car collection. Adding in car meets within major POIs on the map was a nice touch in incorporating multiplayer activities beyond the normal racing route. Also, they added the actual Daikoku Car Meet space as a staple to this aspect of Japanese car culture!

Is this your GamingMatch?

In a nutshell, Forza Horizon 6 remains true to its roots, enabling it to bring out the best of Japan in more ways imaginable. Playground Games knew what worked from every other game in the franchise and decided to double down for the better, from mechanics to the improvements. While it had already hit the mark from the preview alone, expanding it further truly made it an exciting release to watch out for.

For a game that simply offers a more casual racing experience and pushes the car collect-a-thon a lot more, it is completely decked out with activities galore. Even with some of them feeling repetitive at times, every Horizon event and mode felt just as addictive and unique to play no matter how you want to play them. It’s a formula that encourages experimentation and enables car mastery that is easy to digest, no matter the experience level – and we’re all for it.

This truly feels like an instant Swipe Right for all intents and purposes, and definitely a must-try for anyone who plans to visit or return to Japan for a quick vacation or two. Assuming, of course, that the oil crisis will finally end by then.