It’s been a month plus since Forza Horizon 5 came out and we just can’t hide our excitement for it.
Though this may come as no surprise as Forza Horizon games have always been way ahead of their time in terms of graphic design and open-world concept seals the deal for many racing game fans.
With Forza Horizon 5, Playground Studios has hit the spot once again. Usually, when it comes to sports or racing games, it would feel like the same content, same graphics and exactly the same gameplay. But, not for Forza Horizon 5. This game is a proper upgrade from its predecessor, Horizon 4. It definitely raises the bar for other open-world racing games.
From the lighting, effects to the architecture details, Forza Horizon 5 has significantly upgraded in its visual standpoint. Not only is the map humongous, but there are more custom parts that players can enjoy, more performance mods as well as cars that have more character and detail than any other racing game. Even if you have a standard pair of speakers or headphones, you can still hear the sound of engines revving through the streets of Mexico.
Starting Forza Horizon 5
When you start the campaign, you get to test out different terrains and different cars. This game introduces you to the world that is very Fast and Furious-esque, from a plane. That’s right. You get thrown out of a plane and race your way to the Horizon event. There’s even a scene where you drive in a sandstorm. That’s right, a freaking sandstorm like Mad Max. We wonder if we’ll get a Mad Max collab eventually.
Journey Through Mexico
In Forza Horizon 4, fans get to enjoy the vast and colourful countryside of Great Britain. It represented the condensed versions of Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District, Ambleside, Cotswolds, Bamburgh and more. This time, players get to journey through a highly detailed Mexico.
To date, this is the biggest map in the entire Horizon series. In fact, this game is 50% larger than Forza Horizon 4.
Since the pandemic hit, all of us have missed travelling and visiting different countries and experiencing new things. Though travel restrictions are much looser now than it was last year, many are still cautious in travelling.
In Forza Horizon 5, it makes you feel like you’re actually in Mexico, driving through different cities and terrains in real-time. Not only that, there’s no speed limit and you get to experience the power of a high-end car, like the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera or the Ferrari LaFerrari.
It comes as a rather exotic and exquisite array of environments that fans of the Horizon series can easily get lost in. However, the game’s tapestry of colourful locations closely resembles Horizon 3.
The Cars
It’s not a racing game, let alone driving, without a wide selection of cars. Sticking true to its roots, Forza Horizon 5 has over 500 vehicles players can choose from. Though some were available in the older series, 500 is a huge amount for players to choose from.
Apart from the cars, there’s also a huge selection of performance modifications and rims that you can easily customise on your car.
Additionally, the handling of the cars is both fascinating and easy to make them feel more realistic. Though there are moments that poses a challenge, overall it is a joy to control.
Similar Games To Try
If you’re unfamiliar with the Forza Horizon series and want to try something similar, you can try out Forza Horizon 4.
Here are other Racing games that I enjoy playing too.
F1 2021
Yes, F1. The 2021 version of F1 is the flagship of all F1 games, and it’s a must-have for all F1 fans. Some will call this game la creme de la creme of F1 games and they are not wrong. If you haven’t try it out yet, you really should.
Need For Speed Heat
While all of us are waiting for Need For Speed Underground Remake, or Remaster (if they’re even making one) Need for Speed Heat is another great game. Heat is the twenty-fourth instalment. The rich and vibrant open-world racer with interesting day/night mechanics is really similar to Forza Horizon games.
Forza Motorsport 7
Forza Motorsport 7 is a TRUE simulated racing game. It’s what you would expect from a racing game. Like all Forza games, the details in both graphics and sound design is what makes this game so attractive.
Overall
What sets this game from any other racing game is that it has been significantly upgraded. From its graphics to sound design to gameplay. I think that Forza Horizon 5 is undoubtedly the KING of Racing Games to date. I also believe that watching gameplay or cutscenes does not do it justice as you should experience the game while playing it at least once in your lifetime.
If I’m being nitpicky, however, the biggest complaint I have about this game is that the character you control has a voice now. It takes away the mysteriousness of the character that we enjoyed in Horizon 4. Apart from that, some of the side quests can be tedious and I felt that it wastes a bit of time.
Overall it’s a fabulous game.
Rating: 9/10
You can get the digital code for Forza Horizon 5 today at SEAGM.
Visit news.seagm for all the latest updates and exciting news in the video games industry.
