As a series of movies, Forza Horizon has been in the works for a while. After visiting Australia in season three and touring the UK in season four, we’ve known for a while that the latest and fifth entry in the long-distance race will take us to the idyllic Mexican countryside. But it wasn’t until we had the final game in hand that it became clear; Playground Games has gone above and beyond, creating one of the most beautiful new generation games on the market and filling it with some of the most entertaining racing experiences in memory.
A good opening can go a long way to setting the tone of a game, and Forza Horizon 5 plays a big part in the landing – both figuratively and literally. In a gripping opening scene, vehicle after vehicle parachutes out of a cargo plane, crashing into different locations across Mexico. In just a few short minutes, the game has proven its huge potential, showing everything from muddy offroad races through rivers and jungles, to fiery street races on super cars. which most of us would never drive in real life.
From there, it’s a non-stop thrill ride and opportunities for advancement. A new race or other event is available in almost every corner of the color map. New main games introduce gradually with story packs unfolding, but let you as the player choose where you want to go next, maintaining the sense of freedom and choice that characterizes much of the game. play. The intelligent user interface and voice dialogue guide you to what you want, without being overwhelming or obtrusive.
As you drive, all the production, graphics and audio values combine into a feast for the senses. A varied and fun soundtrack is accompanied by an engine roar, and a smart audio mixer that shifts the music to the loudspeakers of festival venues as you get closer to the heart of the action. Smooth water effects, extremely detailed environments, and a strong sense of speed are just some of the visual successes the game manages. And in a game as large as this, it is essential that the player be able to navigate the menu and other elements of the game easily; Thankfully, the multitude of car customization systems, event navigation, rewards and everything else are easy to find and understand.
While the window skins are all gorgeous, it’s the actual racing that earned Forza Horizon 5 our highest praise. Featuring a variety of vehicles and racing styles, the game combines arcade sensibility with just enough realism and realistic physics to be thrilling and believable in the most pompous way. The courses are thoughtfully designed, requiring you to learn how to catch corners as well as handle straight lines. Individual vehicles manage to take on their own personality and ride, and as a player you begin to learn what you do and don’t like during a ride.
To sum it up, Forza Horizon 5 is one of those games that simply screams fun. Easy to understand and hard to put down, it’s been an ongoing success story for the team at Playground Games, proving that they are a team of developers capable of finding both breadth and depth in the games they play. create. | Our review
