Forza Horizon 2: Storm Island
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Forza Horizon 2: Storm Island
This is an excellent expansion, then, one that complements the main game while gracefully underlining what exactly it was that made that Forza Horizon 2 so enticing in the first place. The price-tag may seem as steep as one of Storm Island's vertiginous jumps, but if you had any fun with Horizon 2 whatsoever, go with it - it'll send you soaring into another worthwhile playground stuffed with little delights.
The actual amount of content added with the Storm Island DLC isn't Earth-shattering, but there are a lot of new events thanks to the new locale and some new vehicles made with this terrain in mind. It does, however, completely change the experience while still keeping things similar enough to enable an easy learning curve. Storm Island isn't exactly a desirable vacation destination, but it is a blast to play through in Forza Horizon 2. Anyone who has done just about all they wanted to do with the core game should pick this up because it gives you more top-shelf content and throws a new set of challenges into the regular game thanks to the muddy off-road setup.
In the end there is really no excuse not to pick this content as you will enjoy many of the features found in Forza Horizon 2's core game, but in the new Storm Island setting. Now go on, get that truck or car dirty!
Storm Island is a concept I got behind, but felt like it could have been more. Where is my lightning and thunder crashing down? I want some tropical storm-level insanity to race in. Still for those looking for more Forza Horizon 2 there is plenty to be found in this pack. Just know it doesn't stray far from the original game at all.
Although it's more expensive than your average add-on, Forza Horizon 2's Storm Island DLC is well worth the purchase, and not just because of its enhanced weather effects. There's a lot of bang for your buck here, which shows that Playground Games cares about its fans.
Racing games are often iterative in nature. So retreats from the mundane are a welcome change of pace. Storm Island offers a unique perspective on Horizon 2's template without completely retooling what makes the gameplay work so well. The weather patterns are amazing eye candy, but (for better or worse) don't have quite the aggressive effect on handling as one might expect. The new vehicles are the best part of the expansion, and have great showcase races on which to properly display their best traits in a competitive setting. This DLC may not offer 50+ hours of new races, but it does include enough to be a legit extension to Horizon 2's frame, and the fresh landscape affords plenty of new casual drives. If this was at the $15 price point, I'd say go for it with no hesitation whatsoever. For $20, I caution those looking for truckloads of new content to be leery of the abbreviated collection of Championships and Gauntlets. Still, this is a very solid offering for Horizon 2 owners looking for a reason to put the virtual pedal down during the holidays.
Forza Horizon 2 Storm Island is easily the best DLC of the year because of the amount of content jam packed into this release. However rather than sitting on their laurels, Playground Games have created new events and updated the graphics engine to create some spectacular weather effects and gameplay tweaks. Add in some difficult bucket list challenges, new online features and a new twist to racing thanks to the harshness of Storm Island and this DLC is definitely a must have additional to any Forza Horizon 2 fan.
Forza Horizon 2 is awesome. And Forza Horizon 2: Storm Island just adds a bit more to the awesomeness.
