Forza Horizon 5 Impressions
It’s almost time for the Horizon Festival and fans around the world are hyped for the next iteration of the famed franchise. With a mind-blowing trailer revealed at Gamescom, we break down the many elements that could make Forza Horizon 5, the best game in the series.
Diverse World
The trailer instantly highlights the intertwining, diverse environments, starting in the snow-capped, volcano cliff edge and speeding down towards the sandy valleys. With 11 biomes that seamlessly blend, we get a glorious glimpse of the Mexican farmlands and stunning tundras that we will be racing across when the game releases in November.
Dynamic Weather
Seasons are returning in Forza Horizon 5, altering the map allowing you to speed across previously inaccessible areas. However, the weather plays an even larger part in the game. Dust storms can whip up at any point, allowing you to live out those Mad Max fantasies. In addition, different parts of the map will have weather suited to its location, altitude and time, creating a varied experience.
Attention to Detail
Yes, every Forza game looks incredible, but the minor details set the latest entry apart from others. The mud will react to the weather and weight of the car, splattering in several ways to make each drive feel unique. With ray-tracing, the lighting is remarkable, creating an unprecedented level of realism that is a landmark in video games.
Slick Rides
Boasting the largest number of cars in the series at launch, you can expect to hit the road in the latest rides. From the 2020 Corvette Stingray, Mercedes AMG1 and the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands, the breadth of vehicles is truly amazing. Each car has been fully rendered inside and out to feel like its real-life counterpart. The brake and suspension system has also been overhauled in order to react realistically. Whilst this adds to the simulation aspect of the game, the developers have still maintained a level of accessibility so anyone can jump into the driving seat.
Magnificent Mexico
Playground Games have gone above and beyond to ensure that Mexico feels like a living, breathing place. Working with Mexican scriptwriters, voice actors and artists, Forza Horizon 5 strives to create an authentic experience that captures the culture of the country. Whilst Covid-19 has caused issues, the developers have made links with residents in order to ensure each aspect feels genuine which is evident in the trailer.
Modes and Map
The Eliminator has been a roaring success and it makes its return in Forza Horizon 5. As the mode was introduced a year after the release of Horizon 4, Playground Games had to fit the Eliminator within a prebuilt map. However, the developers have designed the map in Horizon 5 with this mode in mind, resulting in a more cohesive experience. A new addition in the game is the Horizon Tour mode. Here you will meet other drivers and race together against other Drivatars. This laid-back mode has proven to be popular with the developers becoming a staple in their online sessions. Finally, there is the Event Lab, a mode that gives you developer tools to create custom races, challenges, and much more. You’ll be able to alter the weight of cars, use if/then commands to generate strange and wonderful consequences when performing particular actions. With a creative community at work, I cannot wait to see the incredible things that will be constructed by gamers.Â
Forza Horizon 5 not only looks to be the best iteration in the series but it is also making strides to being the best driving game of all time. We will be covering each aspect of this game so keep check back for the latest information.
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