Forza Horizon 5: Exploring the Open Roads In Style

I spent Horizon 4 collecting and customizing cars for hours, and I was always wondering how Playground Games could possibly top the last game. I was completely wrong. Every scene from the introduction showcases the beautiful, varied scenery of Mexico and reminds you how Forza Horizon 5 is meant literally for the joy of driving.

Feeling Small and Truly Alive

Horizon 5's map is blatantly beautiful, dynamic, and huge, not to mention impressive and humbling. The La Gran Caldera volcano almost made me feel like I was on another planet as I carved my way to its peak. Racing down the volcano, I spotted the shimmering, desert heat; lush jungles to the horizon; and even a distant coastline.

The perfect, satisfying thud of smashing a bonus board with my front fender after lining up the jump for three minutes.

Accolades: A New Way to Celebrate Your Wins

Accolades have been one of the biggest changes made to the Forza Horizon 5 game. Driving through a mountain pass while perfectly drifting or breaking a record at a speed trap pass is a record-deserving accolade. The most valuable aspect for me is the immense satisfaction received when ticking off a goal.

Unleashing Your Imagination

If you’re the kind of player who likes to leave your imprint on the game, the event-building feature in Forza Horizon 5 is wonderful. I remember the creative customization options in Horizon 5. Even before the game launched, the Horizon community was designing some of the most interesting and outrageous game modifications I’ve ever witnessed. There were custom races, stunt challenges that defied the laws of physics, and even map tours with the intention of highlighting the visuals of the game. The customization options in Horizon 5 are simple to use and yet powerful in unlocking creativity that they make the game feel alive.

My V10-swapped Corvette's tires are literally melting on the tarmac during a Goliath lap, the heat haze warping the screen.

A Festival Progressing With You

It feels more dynamic and alive, and there is more interaction this time around with the Horizon Festival. The Festival is no longer stagnant; it adapts and grows as you play the game. “Look at what we built for you,” seems to be the message from the developers, and it is difficult not to feel emotional about it.

Multiplayer Without the Stress

Multiplayer is fun! Playground Games has gotten rid of ranked matches and has opted for the fun method of multiplayer. Leaving behind the days of being penalized for someone else’s poor driving, now the focus is simply on enjoying the ride, whether you’re waving away the cars in the battle royale mode called the Eliminator, or you’re driving in co-op mode with friends for a road trip.

Using a rival's car as a literal brake block going into the first tight corner of a Horizon Open race, a dirty but effective tactic.

For the Sideways Squad and Beyond

Drifting down the mountain switchbacks is a spiritual experience. Horizon 5’s perfect physics and responsive cars make you forget the controller. Perfecting the mountain road’s drift and losing yourself for hours on it. But it’s not just about drifting. Horizon 5 has just about everything for every driver. Be it a rally enthusiast, a speed demon, or a performance driver who is aiming for 250 mph on the highway, Horizon 5 has it all: thrilling speed, mud, and jungle trails.

Building your dream Garage

Some players who buy Xbox games may not be so much attracted by racing, but by driving cars or even collecting them. As a collector, the wide range of cars in Horizon 5 is a fantasy come true. Customization has also been expanded, with more tuning options and visual upgrades available more than ever. There is a unique enjoyment in taking a stock car and transforming it into a personalized work of art. My personal highlight, however, is the 1997 Mazda RX-7 fully decked in bright orange and black racing stripes. It is a tribute to '90s street racing culture, and it looks absolutely killer in-game. Finishing a complex stunt challenge is wonderful, and so is the feeling of watching someone beat one of your challenges.

The controller rumbles differently as my tires transition from the wet asphalt of a storm to the sun-baked dirt of the jungle.

Driving Tips and Tricks

  • Forza Horizon 5 isn't all smooth tarmac and fun.  If you're just starting in the series, here are some tips.
  • Go Off-Road for Skill Points: This is where the multipliers are. Find an open field, rally tires, and go crazy. Just make sure your car doesn't get wrecked before you cash in the points.
  • Try Different Cars: Don't limit yourself to one type of vehicle. Yes, a hypercar dominates the highway, but it will be useless on muddy backroads. You have to mix it up.
  • Dominating Dritavar AI: Your antagonists are studying and understanding your moves to exploit weak points within your play. Don't pick the obvious options all the time; a shortcut or unconventional options can yield a greater payoff.
  • Refer to the Guide: While I'm likely to avoid the Guide, the in-game one REALLY pays off. It can help save some time to avoid trial and error when exploring the map, getting tuning tips, and beyond.

Final Thoughts

It’s bigger, bolder, and better than any Horizon game before it. Whether you’re here for the adrenaline, the exploration, or the creativity, there’s something in Horizon 5 that will make you fall in love with cars all over again. Playground Games, you’ve done it again.

Activating rewind not for a crash, but because I clipped a fence post and lost my "Awesome Speed" skill song multiplier.

Forza Horizon 5 is not just a game; it is a driving experience and a staple of Xbox racing games. It is the delight of nailing a drift, the excitement of discovering and acquiring a new favorite car, and the awesome feeling of driving up to a stunning view that are highlights of the game. For someone like me, who is as fond of driving and collecting cars as the game, it is a total pleasure.

So, get ready to immerse yourself in the most delightful pandemonium. Feel free to listen to your favorite music. It won’t matter if you are racing to win or just driving to the horizon; this experience is remarkable.

Location: Berlin, Germany

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