Forza Horizon 5 for Xbox One

A breathtaking open-world racing game on Xbox One

Forza Horizon 5 raises the bar of open-world racing games with the biggest, fastest and most complete Horizon game yet. Developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, the fifth installment of the series exchanges the gorgeous Australia (Forza Horizon 3) and the gripping races in the United Kingdom (Forza Horizon 4) for the wildest challenges in Mexico. With a larger and more varied map, improved weather and dynamic season effects as well as brand new options and game modes, Horizon’s new iteration definitely hasn’t lost its momentum. Landing on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC, Forza Horizon 5 might raise some concerns regarding its performance to people who don’t own Microsoft’s next-gen consoles. Is it really worth it?

A brand new open-world full of possibilities

Forza Horizon 5 takes place in an open-world rendition of Mexico, offering the series’ biggest map. Playground Games has not limited itself to showcasing just a few sights of Mexico, but has gone all out by adding a total of up to 11 different ecosystems. This way, we can not only explore large cities like Guanajuato but also typical Mexican villages, quaint coastal towns, deserts and even dense jungles with mysterious temples. All of this with over 500 unlockable cars!

This variety of environments and biomes is one of the key elements of Forza Horizon 5. The vastness of the world invites exploration whether you’re driving over solid and paved terrains or in areas filled with sand, mud, and even rivers. Thousands of collectibles, stunning sights, secret routes and exciting challenges are scattered all over the map waiting to be discovered. It doesn’t stop there, because this new Horizon iteration is breathing life and its environments are completely interactive. Don't be surprised if you have to make a last-minute turn to avoid running over a distracted donkey or startle a colorful group of flamingos as you pass by. No matter if you’re racing or leisurely exploring the map, you’ll be immersed in an engaging world that feels alive.

Gameplay: Drifting your way through high-speed races

No matter what type of driver you are, Forza Horizon 5 has something in store for you. Playground Games has developed a racing sandbox both for seasoned racing enthusiasts and casual players alike thanks to its smooth and extremely responsive controls. Throughout the map you’ll find challenges that will cater to anyone's tastes, from street races to thrilling desert rallies. And, of course, you can also explore, go sightseeing, take memorable photographs… No matter your preferences, Forza Horizon 5’s gameplay is consistently thrilling, ensuring that players will always be engaged and entertained.

This gameplay variety can also be found in its Campaign mode. Once you’ve completed the game’s tutorials, you’ll gain access to the different Horizon festivals that you can approach, enjoy and complete however you want. The game also lacks any event that gives closure to the mode, letting players enjoy Horizon’s thrilling races for as long as they feel like driving.

But no Horizon game is complete without an impressive car roster. Here you’ll be able to drive over 500 cars, ranging from classic models to modern ones, as well as all kinds of off-road vehicles. Playground Games has meticulously recreated these cars, showcasing all their details and making it almost impossible to tell them apart from the real-world counterparts. All these vehicles are completely customizable and you’ll be able to modify them however you want, providing a deep level of personalization. This way, Forza Horizon 5 ensures all players will find the perfect car that suits their driving style. There’s no excuse to not drift and race your way through Mexico!

Graphics: One of the best looking racing games on Xbox One

The Forza franchise has always been a staple in visual splendor in racing games and Horizon 5 is living proof of that. It just looks amazing. Whether you’re racing through dense jungles or coastal towns, you’ll be amazed by the game’s attention to detail in the environment. Its improved dynamic weather system will make all the scenery change in a blink of an eye, turning a well-known location into a new amazing landscape full of newfound beauty. With graphics like this, driving is just a real pleasure.

While the Xbox One version of Forza Horizon 5 is not as impressive as its next-gen counterpart, it’s still a real looker. The game definitely pushes the hardware to its limits, showcasing stunning sights and vistas, delivering one of the most impressive graphics - if not the most - in a racing game.

Multiplayer: Driving is always better with friends

Playground Games have put a lot of effort into Forza Horizon 5’s multiplayer mode. The game is a turning point from the previous installments of the series, adding a new MMO-style service called Horizon Life where all online users are able to connect to the same map at the same time. What does this mean? Easy: You’ll be able to drive, compete or simply enjoy exploring the map with all your online friends. In addition to that, the game includes the Forza Link mode, which allows you to locate available players around your area and add them to any multiplayer activity you’re currently engaged in.

The  Horizon Arcade will also provide you with a plethora of co-op and versus challenges, letting you team up or go head-to-head with friends all over the world. The game also includes other goodies such as the Forzathon Live events and Horizon Stories, which provide regular content, challenges and updates that always keep the game fresh and engaging.

Can you play co-op story mode in Forza Horizon 5?

Yes, Forza Horizon 5 lets you play co-op through the story with other players, although with a few little changes to the gameplay. Here’s everything you should know about Forza’s Story Co-Op:

1. You’ll be able to co-op with a total of 6 different players
2. All the base game stories are available in co-op
3. After you finish a story, the convoy will stay formed when going back to the game’s world.
4. All players will get points from a completed story
5. Your progress with your friends will carry over to solo-mode.

Does Forza Horizon 5 allow cross-play?

Yes, it does allow Cross-Play. You’ll be able to play with friends that own the PC or Xbox Series X/S version of the game.

Featuring Italy’s most iconic automobiles

Forza Horizon 5’s newest update is a major treat for Italian automotive enthusiasts. With 16 new cars to add to their garages, players can look forward to a truckload of exciting new drops. By heading over to the Horizon Festival Outpost or Player House, you can browse through eight of the most iconic Italian cars and drive them all around town. Afterward, you can take part in the Italian Automotive Festival Playlist and unlock eight more additional cars to your roster. 

With numerous events in this series’ Festival Playlist, players can take part in different thrilling challenges over the course of four weeks. In addition to these, players also have the opportunity to purchase the Italian Exotics Car Pack which features seven exclusive cars that are new to the game, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Italdesign models. Best of all, the game has increased each player’s total garage spaces to 2,000 cars, and the save slots for tunes and liveries to 1,000 to give players even more opportunities to enjoy the game to its full potential.

The most ambitious and engaging racing game on Xbox One

Forza Horizon 5 is an excellent game and a real treat for all open-world driving game enthusiasts. The title  improves every aspect from its previous iterations, providing a fun, challenging and engaging experience that you’ll find hard to forget. Mexico is simply stunning, offering all kinds of diverse landscapes full of secrets and thrilling activities waiting to be discovered. The game also looks great on the Xbox One, pushing the hardware to its limits and recreating its lush environments in complete detail. With an excellent multiplayer mode and more than 500 cars to choose from, Forza Horizon 5 has absolutely everything to please racing fans.