Forza Horizon 5 is a thrilling and visually captivating racing game that offers a wide range of features and experiences for players to enjoy. Set in Mexico’s vibrant and diverse landscape, this open-world adventure is available on PC, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
One remarkable aspect of Forza Horizon 5 is the Event Lab, which empowers players to create their own competitions, modes, and mini-games. Unlike other titles, Forza Horizon 5 provides an extensive toolkit that allows players to modify almost every aspect of their custom events, including climatic conditions, vehicle restrictions, and more.
Another impressive element of the game is its Voice Recognition feature, which incorporates the player’s name into the spoken dialogue by non-player characters (NPCs). This personalized addition enhances immersion and the overall gaming experience.
Forza Horizon 5’s dynamic weather and seamless transition between day and night amplify the gameplay experience with stunning visuals. The game offers an immersive atmosphere, from embarking on a road trip at dawn to witnessing the shift from twilight to darkness with the gradual illumination of streetlights and house lights. The dynamic weather system encompasses over 2000 unique skybox configurations captured in breathtaking 4K, allowing players to encounter diverse weather phenomena such as turbulent storms, towering dust clouds, blizzards, and refreshing spring showers.
The game showcases an enormous map that spans over 78 square miles, surpassing its predecessor, Forza Horizon 4. Encompassing 11 distinct biomes, including urban areas, arid deserts, snow-capped mountains, lush tropical coastlines, and even an active volcano, players have an expansive landscape to explore and traverse at high speeds.
While Forza Horizon 5 primarily focuses on high-speed races, it also offers a plethora of activities beyond the racetrack. Players can engage in open-world exploration, participate in arcade-style challenges, create their own content, take part in story missions, and for the first time in the series, experience visually stunning storm-chaser missions that test their driving skills amidst intense weather conditions.
Furthermore, fans of collectibles are in for a treat with the return of Barn Finds, a system that allows players to discover rare and valuable vehicles through unique means. Accessing these hidden locations involves following rumors and completing challenges, unveiling a total of 15 barn finds at launch, with additional discoveries expected throughout the year.
Like its predecessors, Forza Horizon 5 enables players to experience all four seasons, with each season lasting one week in standard modes. However, players have the option to select their preferred season when creating custom events, allowing them to enjoy a different season than the one currently in rotation.
The game features a virtual radio host who provides commentary on recent player actions.
Additionally, Forza Horizon 5 introduces a player housing system, allowing players to purchase various properties scattered across the map. Each house offers unique visuals and passive abilities, such as increased earnings, additional loot opportunities, and instant teleportation to any location on the map. This feature proves advantageous for players who prefer immediate access to their chosen activities without spending excessive time driving to their desired destinations.
Like previous entries in the series, Forza Horizon 5 provides extensive customization options for vehicles and characters. Players can personalize their cars with an impressive selection of body kits, paint options, decals, and upgrades. Furthermore, they can customize their character’s appearance with various clothing items, accessories, and emotes, ensuring a unique and personalized experience.