Forza Horizon 5 marks the arrival of Microsoft’s acclaimed racing series – known for its engaging gameplay, diverse challenges, and exotic locales – on the latest generation of Xbox consoles and PC. Forza Horizon 2 earned our Game of the Year award in 2014 and represented a significant generational leap. Now, developer Playground Games transports players to Mexico, delivering stunning visuals on Xbox Series hardware alongside a familiar, albeit refined, gameplay experience.
Having reviewed all Horizon games since the second installment (the original was exclusive to Xbox 360), we expect most readers are acquainted with the core concept: a vast, open-world map populated with races, events, and challenges. A key element is the collection of a considerable number of cars – upwards of 536 – alongside the progression of your avatar and in-game celebrity status, a feature introduced in later titles.
The most notable addition is undoubtedly support for current-generation consoles. Our experience on the Xbox Series X was exceptional. Much like Forza Horizon 2 bridged the gap between the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, Forza Horizon 5 acts as a bridge between the aging Xbox One (which can still run the game) and the significantly more powerful Series X. Consequently, the player experience varies depending on the platform. While the game demonstrates graphical fidelity, compromises remain due to the need for cross-generation compatibility. On both Xbox Series S and X, players can choose between a higher resolution mode with enhanced details, locked at 30fps, or a smoother 60fps mode with slightly reduced resolution and visual features. The Xbox Series X offers native 4K resolution with Dolby Vision HDR in Quality Mode, delivering impressive visuals, though a 60fps option would be ideal. We anticipate that Playground Games may overcome this limitation later in the console generation, perhaps when a potential “Series Pro” iteration removes the need for Xbox One backward compatibility (Xbox One owners can stream the game via cloud gaming from a Series model). Given the fast-paced nature of the gameplay, discerning the difference in resolution and detail can be challenging, making the 60fps mode the preferable option for a superior sense of speed and responsiveness across the expansive Mexican landscape.
The audio experience features commentary from your avatar, encouragement from the Horizon team, and dialogue from radio personalities on each station. The engine sounds are noteworthy; a well-configured home theater system at high volume provides an immersive and satisfying experience for those who appreciate the roar of a finely tuned engine.
We appreciate Playground Games’ efforts to incorporate more story-driven elements and memorable moments in this iteration. However, Forza Horizon 5 maintains a strong resemblance to its predecessors – perhaps too strong. While the game delivers arcade-style racing thrills, it represents an incremental evolution from the classic “drive x number of laps” race structure established seven years ago. The map is densely populated with points of interest, which can be overwhelming for completionists (reminiscent of Ubisoft’s open-world design). While some challenges are genuinely memorable, the core gameplay loop remains focused on racing around tracks (albeit in new environments), speed challenges, jumps, and barn finds (which remain an acquired taste). This raises the question of whether the need to support last-generation consoles is limiting innovation. We would welcome more ambitious design choices, bolder challenges, and a more compelling narrative. Perhaps incorporating elements of demolition derbies, similar to Destruction Derby, or even integrating Burnout-style crashes with generic vehicles (given brand sensitivities regarding vehicle damage) could inject new energy into the series. Despite this, the overall experience remains captivating, offering hours of exploration, bonuses, upgrades, new cars, and numerous points of interest to discover and conquer.
It’s difficult not to find enjoyment in Forza Horizon 5‘s established formula. Given its inclusion in Xbox’s cost-effective Game Pass service, it is highly recommended that all Xbox and PC users download and experience the game, regardless of their initial interest in racing titles. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more engaging sandbox environment populated with faithfully recreated vehicles. However, it is apparent that the series requires more significant changes and innovation in future installments. While enhanced graphics and a detailed open world are welcome, transforming the game into a true open-world “car adventure” with compelling missions (a direction the game is partially exploring) would breathe new life into a franchise that has consistently delivered high-quality experiences.
