Forza Horizon 5: An Open-World Dream Come True

When I received the invitation to Horizons 5 for the first time, I felt as though I had received a Shawn Mendes ticket to the Met Gala. An explosion of color, I found myself on a new continent, the country of Mexico. I was intently staring at my brand-new rugged off-roader, which was showcasing all of its off-roading capabilities. Soon enough, I was on the 4th and final biome of the game, driving through the adventurous and endless Baja. Horizon 5 was less of a visit and more of a sense of longing to stay forever.

A Living, Breathing World

Over the years, I have played an abundance of open-world games, but none were as crafted with love as the biomes in Playground Games. Each region is bubbling with bloom and flora, awaiting a gamer to dive in. Guanajuato felt like more of an entrance to a treasure. The ever-puzzling city with staircases and convincing underground tunnels felt like a close sister to the Wild West! I felt like I was an outlaw, trying to escape the buzz in the Baja circuit, but alas, I was the fastest of my friends.

From one angle, you're racing through a fierce tropical storm. In another, you're burning tire crests on a volcano, with gravel flying beneath a boundless sky.

Something New Each Day.

Forza Horizon 5's greatest example of its successes is the rotating Festival Playlist. During the week, I would systematically search for and discover classic vehicles to complete bizarre Horizon stories, and then I would find elusive billboards to catalog and obtain fast travel promotions. Just when it seemed like a person would tire of the new additions, the Playlist of rotating events continuously brings players back.

Need precision racing? There's a street racing scene that will challenge your skills to their limit. Want to just chill out and enjoy the scenery? There's even a more relaxed Horizon Arcade mode where you join other gamers to partake in fun activities like monster truck piñata smashing.

The Visuals Are Amazing (Most Of It)

On the Xbox Series X, Forza Horizon 5 is stunning to say the least. The lights are breathtaking, like during the golden hour, transforming the world into a museum-worthy painting. Driving through the jungle at night, I was fascinated as the headlights of my car created an almost cinematic view, illuminating parts of the jungle. The cars gleam in the sunlight, and the raindrops seem to slide off the windshield like truly tangible objects.

"It's not perfect." Everything feels off without any ray tracing during the usual gameplay, and that feels a bit off. Reflections in the Forza Vista module are simply mesmerizing. Still, one can't help but wish that level of realism were available while speeding through the cities and highways in Mexico. There are noticeable drops in resolution to 1080p, especially when playing on the Series S.

Gameplay

The goal of the Forza Horizon 5 gameplay remains unchanged, yet the level of complexity increases with each new installment. Players who buy PS5 games can still take a relaxing drive while controlling sleek new cars, challenging their driving skills with fancy vehicles. One can simply float through the game with no challenges, or one can get lost in intense configurations to get their driving skills finally set free. Controlling the cars has just the right level of complexity that allows oneself to stay interested and keeps them actively engaged."

I remember doing a race with a powerful dune buggy to the gorgeous beaches of Riviera Maya. Jumping with it felt like taking off a jet with the glittering ocean flashing underneath. Unlike other experiences in Forza Horizon, which tend to be other optimum experiences, this truly felt like living. It's about enjoying the Dubai beaches, about the thrill that comes with this whole journey.

What's Missing?

Forza Horizon has a more full-dimensional verticality with more 3D vertical layers. Forza could focus more densely on the beautiful jungles, exploring, creating secret little pathways, and more.

The same goes for the connected multiplayer mode. There seemed to be events where one simply sits, having fun with the whole system. The only thing enjoyable is when one gets to stroll around. It is unpleasant, but it's there.

A Love Letter to Mexico

What makes Forza Horizon 5 unique compared to the previous titles is its dedication to celebrating the setting. While driving through the town squares, you can hear mariachi bands. The Day of the Dead festival adds traditional splashes of color to the scene. The passion for the region comes through even in the voice acting of the Horizon Stories.

As a fan of open-world exploration, I can say this game is heaven on earth. I spent hours driving, discovering new landscapes, taking photos, and occasionally crashing into a cactus (sorry, nature). Forza Horizon 5 is not just a game; it is a digital road trip that inspires and exhilarates.

Final Thoughts

To me, the most captivating racing game I have ever played is also the most captivating in the realm of open-world gaming. There might be some hiccups, but they are few and far between the sheer magnitude of the achievements in this game. Whether you buy PS5 racing games, are a racing fanatic, or just wish to roam around, Forza Horizon 5 is a captivating work of art that you won't be able to put down.