Fans of racing games will get everything they want and more from Forza Horizon 5's stunningly realistic open world. Players are treated to unlimited gameplay opportunities thanks to the intricately detailed user customization and accessibility options. Despite this, Forza Horizon 5 has pushed the capabilities of the new Xbox consoles to its limits, offering the most stunning and varied racing experience yet. Forza Horizon 5 is a racing video game set in an open world environment based in a fictional representation of Mexico. The game has the largest map in the entire Forza Horizon series, being 50% larger than its predecessor, Forza Horizon 4, while also having the highest point in the Horizon series.
The map was described by creative director Mike Brown as one of the most diverse Forza Horizon maps the team has built. The map contains an active caldera volcano, jungles and beaches, ancient Mayan temples, and towns and cities such as Guanajuato. Players can explore the open world freely, though they can also compete in multiplayer races and complete the campaign mode.
Both the cars featured in the game and the player character can be extensively customised. Players are able to create custom liveries and tunes for cars, and perform engine swaps, drivetrain swaps, or install body kits on certain vehicles. The game is the first in the franchise to support ray tracing on cars . With the game launching at midnight local time, some fans have adjusted the region on their Xbox consoles to New Zealand in order to start playing the game several hours early.
It's unclear if this also works for the PC version of Forza Horizon 5. Forza Horizon 5 is finally launching for everyone that hasn't bought a premium edition to get early access. Yes, if you've seen your friends sharing their Forza Horizon 5 gameplay clips before now, it's because they've had access to the premium version of the game, which granted access starting last Friday.
The grass is always greener on the other side though, and you just might end up happy to save the money and wait for the general Game Pass launch like the working-class warrior you are. UK — After collecting and devouring piles of print gaming guides in his younger days, Harry has been creating 21st century versions for the past five years as Guides Writer at PCGamesN and Guides Editor at PC Gamer. He has also produced features, reviews, and even more guides for Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and Top Ten Reviews. So many by now he steadfastly refuses to convey information unless it's in clickable online form. Forza Horizon 5 is also an impressive test case for Microsoft's cross-generational hardware strategy.
I played the game for several hours on my Xbox One X, and it doesn't feel compromised compared to anything else on the console. It's still a better-looking game than 3 and 4, and it looks more or less the same as the Series X version's 60fps mode — just running at half the frame rate. The One X is generally a machine designed for 4K/30fps games, and that's what you get here with Forza Horizon 5. Would the Series X game have looked even better if it didn't have to run on Xbox One consoles?
Maybe, but it's hard to complain about the performance on either platform. Being the fifth instalment in the series, Playground Games has taken huge steps to make the driving experience more immersive. Starting with the map size, which is 50 per cent larger than Forza Horizon 4, the game features countless locations such as an active volcano, jungles, beaches, ancient Mayan temples, and the narrow, colourful streets of Guanajuato. Besides the standard campaign mode, players can take part in online multiplayer races and explore the open world with no restrictions. But sometimes a game can be so pretty that it helps you appreciate an experience that you would normally feel mild about.
When I do enjoy a racer, it's usually a more arcadey experience like Ridge Racer Type 4 or the more recent Cruis'n Blast. However, Forza Horizon 5 is on another level on Xbox Series X and it's one of the few games where I prefer the 30fps quality mode to its 60fps equivalent. The increase in fidelity and the more graceful LOD transitions combined with the upgraded visuals elevate it significantly beyond performance mode.
True, it's not 60fps but the motion blur is the best I've seen in bridging the gap. Of course, it is possible to play this game at full frame-rate with Series X's mixture of high, ultra and extreme settings - and that's where the PC version comes into play. Forza Horizon 5 doesn't change the basic structure, and there's still a huge amount of stuff dotting the Mexican map. But it does do a better job of easing you into its mountain of content. You're able to choose which specific types of events to unlock as you progress, so, for example, I preferred to focus on closed-track road races early on before delving into cross-country rallies. I feel like if I stopped playing the game and came back to it weeks later, I'd have a much better sense of what I'd been doing and where would be best for me to spend the next couple of hours.
In turn, that makes me feel better about simply driving around the landscape in search of whatever esoteric quest I might come across. Unlike with 4, I've never felt like I'm wasting my time in Forza Horizon 5, as I always have more of a sense of what I could be working toward. If you're an arcade racing game purist, Burnout Paradise has a lot to answer for.
Ever since, virtually all big-budget arcade racing games have been made in the shadow of Paradise, with most tracks consisting of lines drawn across vast, explorable maps. Create your own expressions of fun with the powerful new EventLab gameplay toolset including custom races, challenges, stunts, and entirely new game modes. Customize your cars in more ways than ever before with new options such as the ability open and close convertible tops, paint brake calipers, and more.
Use the new Gift Drops feature to share your custom creations with the community. Keep coming back for new events, challenges, collectibles, and rewards, and new areas to explore. No two seasons will ever be the same.Play on Xbox Series X and Xbox One consoles. Pop-in can also be noticeable, at least when playing on performance mode (and if you're like me and need 60 fps, you'll be playing on performance mode).
It's not an obnoxious issue, and it's well within the norm for open-world games, but it does become more noticeable with games like this getting so close to looking like the real thing. While Forza Horizon 5's official release date won't come until next week, some players are already tearing up the streets and touring the sights of virtual Mexico thanks to its early access scheme. If you pre-purchased Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, or bought the Premium Add-Ons bundle and plan to play via Xbox Game Pass, that's you! As for what time specifically you can start playing, here's the word from the official Forza Horizon Twitter account.
This game is set to feature the largest map yet in the Forza Horizon series. On top of this, the developer promises a new Expedition mode and a new feature called Events Lab. This feature allows players to create their own game modes, experiences, and races. Unfortunately for PlayStation players, it seems unlikely this series will ever get across consoles. Despite the name and the hundreds of accurately modeled real-world cars, Forza Horizon has little in common with Turn 10 Studios' Forza Motorsport series, which is more of a serious racing simulator.
While Horizon isn't exactly a Ridge Racer-style arcade game, it's certainly on the more accessible side of things. The physics feel somewhat grounded in reality, and you'll notice big differences in how various cars handle, but the driving model is very forgiving, and it's easy for anyone to pick up and play. Firstly, there is the choice between the standard edition of the game and the premium one, which offers a plethora of early game unlocks and promised expansion packs, but costs almost twice the price.
Whether you're struggling to find the rare cars hidden in various barns across the map, or you want the latest kooky sounding horn or wacky emote, Forza Horizon 5 has the in-game shop for you. Many can be unlocked via gameplay and chance, but you're certainly encouraged to pay upfront to unlock your favorite in-game items. On Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, the framerate is capped at 30fps at the highest graphical fidelity, but whether you choose graphics or performance mode the experience is equally spectacular.
Whether you're driving, photographing, or customizing them, they look pure perfection from every angle. Each vehicle reacts differently and realistically to the environment, and they also provide a contrasting driving experience dependent on the weather. The controller rumbles dynamically to match the different styles of track, immersing you in the experience of being on the road. Forza Horizon 5 seeks to differentiate itself from the competition by how it plans to evolve. This is due in part to Playground Games' commitment to the Festival Playlist, which will provide monthly updates with more content and new cars.
While you're playing Forza Horizon 5, you can also expect flawless performance. I noted in my initial preview how smooth it played in both Quality and Performance modes, and this experience has more than held up. I mostly played in Quality mode due to my propensity to take pictures and enjoy the scenery, but I never felt my experience suffered playing at 30 FPS. Performance mode makes smart cuts to texture pop-in, shadows and reflections, and other graphical settings to deliver a stable 60 PFS without compromising graphical fidelity. Loading times were also nearly instantaneous in both modes, including starting the game . Forza Horizon 5, the latest open world racing game from Playground Games, was released for premium customers last week and everyone else will get the game this week.
The open world arcade-sim racing game is now set in Mexico and returns to North America for the first time in 9 years — since the original game that was based in Colorado. One of the things Playground Games and Turn 10 have mentioned is that Mexico is the biggest map they have developed for any Forza Horizon franchise till date. If you haven't been making the most of early access, the countdown is very much afoot for the full release of Forza Horizon 5 - the launch time is mere hours away! Keep on reading our handy primer and we'll tell you when, and how, you can start playing this epic new racing sandbox game set in Mexico. This consists of a series of mini-multiplayer games strewn across the map.
One of these mini-multiplayer games is called "Piñata pop" where the Horizon Festival's cargo plane drops piñatas. The goal is to pop as many piñatas as they can with the help of other players. It also introduces the "EventLab", a toolset in which players can create custom games, races, and more depending on their personal preference. According to Brown, it is an AI assistant that tracks the current statuses of players, helping them to link with other players online and play together. Forza Link can also link players' GPS systems if they accept the invitation from another player. Create your own expressions of fun with the new EventLab gameplay toolset including custom races, challenges, stunts and new game modes.
I mean, triple-A graphics have already gotten pretty good at replicating automobiles and landscapes, but this is as impressive as it gets. The few character models that populate the game's world and cutscenes don't look anywhere near as good as the cars and trees. Now, that is a good prioritization of resources for an open-world racing game, but those characters do stand out when everything else looks so amazing.
This racing wonderland version of Mexico is charming, thrilling, and fun to explore. With locations that include volcanic mountains, vibrant towns, and glittering oceans, each square mile of this open playground offers amazing sights. Those who have preordered the premium edition will be able to play the game on Friday, 5th November, four days before the game's global release, which is set for Tuesday, 9th November. Forza Horizon 5 Premium Add-Ons Bundle upgrades the base game to the premium edition.
It includes early access, allowing you to play the game four days early beginning November 5, 2021. It also includes the Welcome Pack, Car Pass, VIP Membership and two game expansions when they become available. This is perfect for those who just want to play via Game Pass, but also want the benefits of early access alongside other digital incentives. Ultimately, Playground has delivered an excellent game for all Xbox systems. The surprise package for me was Xbox One X - level of detail pop-in and longer loading are blemishes but perhaps it's only because these areas of the game are so dramatically improved on Series hardware.
Graphically, it's a treat, and the Scorpio Engine continues to surprise in its ability to service a 4K display. Judged on its own merits, it's a good version of the game and a worthy sequel. The fact that it retains Forza's signature 1080p 4x MSAA image quality and a consistent 30fps helps immensely in mitigating some of the more obvious cuts - it adds immensely to the overall polish. Quality mode looks excellent, performance mode is locked at 60fps and for those still gaming on 1080p displays, I can't foresee any complaints. Like Forza Horizon 4, Playground recorded the real sky on location for hundreds of hours and handpicked the best bits, stitching everything together to achieve the majesty of the game's sky.
This means it naturally evolves over time, with rolling cloud coverage that changes depending on where you are. The new tropical storms and dynamic weather events look beautiful and even a little intimidating, with a real sense of depth and scale that many games lack. The sky isn't a quality many people talk about in video games, but nothing escaped Playground's commitment to visual perfection. For the first time, Forza Horizon 5 takes the long-running open-world racing series to Mexico, and it's a sight to behold. Forza Horizon 5 was only in development for one additional year over previous entries in the franchise, but enjoys such a massive leap in quality that it feels like it must've taken much longer. Forza Horizon 5 also features a brand-new weather system, where players will be able to experience different climates in different parts of the country.
Additionally, you are also introduced to the Horizon Arcade, where you can play a series of mini-multiplayer games spread across the map. There is no denying that the fourth edition of the driving series is rightfully considered as one of the greatest racing games ever made, leaving a lot of pressure on Forza Horizon 5 to shine on the brand new consoles. "Forza Horizon 5" brings back the seasons mechanic from the previous game, which changes the weather and the environment on a weekly basis, shifting between the four seasons. We'll have more to share on Forza Horizon 5, one of the biggest 2021 releases from Xbox Game Studios very soon. On top of the game and the Car Pass you get the four days early access we already mentioned and plenty more.
You get the Forza Horizon 5 Welcome Pack which includes 5 special pre-tuned cars, a Player House, and 1 one-time voucher to purchase any car available from the game's Autoshow. Also included are 3 vouchers for the purchase of any Common or Rare clothing item. You'll get 8 Formula Drift Cars to get started, and then one car per week added to your garage. If your need for speed needs to be satisfied as soon as possible, worry not, as you will be able to play the game in a few days, once the game enters early access, or a bit later if you haven't preordered the premium edition. You can also look forward to new challenges, events, and cosmetics for your avatar. Most unique will be the gifting challenge, which will reward all players with an exclusive outfit and secret car if enough people give each other goodies.
Forza Horizon 5 is an upcoming open-world racing game that will be the fifth title in the series and the 12th instalment in the Forza saga. It has generated a lot of buzz ever since it was announced, owing to its impressive performances. Forza Horizon 5 is one of the biggest Xbox games of the year, and Playground Games' latest spin-off could be the best game in the entire Forza series. The new game takes us to Mexico across 11 different biomes, each unique and with altering conditions depending on the season, and art from local Mexican creators gives it a layer of cultural authenticity. You'll be able to play it very soon with the standard edition, and you can even start playing it now if you bought one of the more expensive versions.
Crucially, there are advantages to playing Forza Horizon 5 on Series consoles that aren't just about graphics or frame-rate. Hosting the game on SSD makes for a more streamlined experience on Series consoles - and it's noticeable right from the beginning of the experience. The intro drive is a Playground staple, a spectacular preview of the action to come. It's a glorious, seamless, load-free experience on Xbox Series machines, but Xbox One consoles simply can't deliver the data for each new stage in time, leading to second pauses from one segment to the next. It looks the part, but the loading delays interrupt the flow and don't leave the best impression. While these transitions are indeed instant on the new consoles, there is still loading in the main game but it's much faster than last-gen console equivalents - around 3x to the better in my tests.
A key aspect of Forza Horizon 5's visual appeal is its sheer density and its massive vistas, something Xbox One cannot hope to deliver to the same level of fidelity as its Series counterparts. Far-off detail is still rendered to an impressive degree, and as it's a persistent aspect of the scene's visual make-up, it has to be - it sells the scale of the open world. The ground has far fewer layers to it compared to the other consoles, looking rather flat at slow speeds (it's far less noticeable in the thick of gameplay, however). It's not so much of an issue in closed-circuit racing but it's in the open world that the limitations of the console start to bite.
