Forza Horizon 5 in the test: Grandious Open World masterpiece

Fora Horizon 5 is a 2021 racing video game developed by Playground Games and released by Xbox Game Studios. It is the 5th Fora Horizon title as well as twelfth primary installment in the Fora series. The game is embedded in a fictionalized representation of Mexico. It was released on 9 November 2021 for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and also Xbox Series X/S.

Xbox has no games is a reproach that has often circled through the gaming scene in recent years. Although Microsoft is well-prepared with some exciting new IPs and hot comer comebacks for the future, but most blockbusters are still quite far away — some highlights are currently still available. Besides Halo Infinite (Our Preview of the Space People), there is definitely the colorful open-world racing game forza horizon 5.

According to Australia and the Cool United Kingdom, the paradisaical and multi-faceted Mexico follows as a new scene. In addition to the tropical setting there is plenty of playful improvements, most striking graphic nature! Fora Horizon 5 embodies one of the most beautiful video games that we have previously seen on the new consoles.

We have spread extensively into the crazy party festival around racing fascination and betrayed in our test video whether the huge expectations of the fans are fulfilled.

Table of contents

1. 1The game world Mexico: Virtual holiday and racing paradise
2. 2INTRO & atmosphere: a game entry of the master class
3. 3 activities: expeditions, racing events & event Lab
4. 4 motivation: Flood of rewards, Wheel spins & skills items
5. Gastronomy: Arcade Racing has never felt better
6. 6 graphics & Technology: One of the most beautiful Open World games of all time
7. 7 Fact: far more than a masterful racing game...

The game world Mexico: Virtual holiday and racing paradise

Anyone of Fora Horizon 5 expects a simple Arcade Racer in a generic and exchangeable Open World, which is quite wrong. Fora Horizon 5 rather an open-world adventure awaits you, which is denied in over 500 different vehicles, but even for racing Tannhauser a captivating fascination brings. The shiny star of the racing game full-pumped racing game is the virtual Mexico — a huge chunk game paradise. At night through the prairie: Through the day and night changes and the impressive sky, we always experience breathtaking moments that burn in the long term. If then the right song is running on the radio, then there is little in the racing genre, which can measure it. Source: PC Games While Great Britain still with a size of just under 71 square kilometers Daydream, Mexico covers 107 square kilometers. For a more detailed assessment of the size: GTA V and the Red Dead Redemption 2 published in 2018 Decorate with an 80 or 75 square kilometer large game world — Fora Horizon 5 is a good deal more extensive! But pure size is not well known, not everything: In addition, the new Xbox blockbusters shine with a flawless detailed loyalty and countless stunning areas that remind us several times to the Maestros of the Open World Genre. Among other things, the just mentioned Western game, which adorns itself with one of the most beautiful open play worlds of all time.

Whether Mexican rainforest, paradisaical beaches or impressive volcanic landscapes, Mexico always offers new surprises and impressions that convey a virtual holiday feeling of a very special kind — perfect for the dark and cold winter time! Between the more than just Racing: Fora Horizon 5 is of course a racing fans depending on racing fans, through the great open game world, the Xbox blockbuster also has a strong adventure touch. Just do not miss! Source: PC Games Pacific and Atlantic October lying there are various climates and a total of eleven different biomes to explore. Other highlights are the city of Guanajuato at around 2,000 vertical meters and the highest summit Mexico, which lies over 5,500 meters in height. Fora Horizon 5 is not only a beautiful backdrop, there is also a lot of collar action on and next to the route! But before we rush on the huge pool of wild activities, we would like to illuminate the imposing game entry more accurately.

Intro & atmosphere: a game entry of the master class

In typically transcribed horizon manner, we rush on our way to the festival several times from an airplane, only a short time later with the most diverse vehicles the variety of Mexico to breathe — always perfectly tailored to the situation. The CINEMATIC INTRO begins with the 2021 Ford Bronco, an SUV adapted for off-road action, with which we boost a snowy volcanic landscape.

Some vehicle and terrain change later we find ourselves behind the tax of the AMG Project ONE, with which we to the thunderous festival area nozzles. Fun-FACT: The AMG Project One is a technology monster equipped with five engines, which brings over 1,100 hp to the asphalt — one of the large advertised highlights in Fora Horizon 5, which has not even been released by Mercedes. Are you yourself: Very commendable we find the many, among other things, to adapt the possibilities to the own character. There are various prostheses, countless garments and chic hairstyles. With newly deserved credits we can of course expand our wardrobe over the entire game. Source: PC Games As soon as you have arrived, we can create and customize a character. Particularly commendable are the many gender-free options that enable them to fully consume and put together their own avatar. However, in the same breath, however, must be said: as beautiful the surroundings and cars look, so deploying people in Fora Horizon 5. The focus is on the studio Playground Games of course on other areas, yet the somewhat to comic ha s figures look at and on something deploy.

The adaptation of the character was already similar in the past, but differs strongly from the predecessors especially in the further gameplay. There are still countless possibilities to adapt your own character with prostheses, various clothes and hairstyles, gambling in Mexico: The Forza-typical Wheel spins are of course again — with a pleasing update! Instead of being rewarded with emotes and clothing at every second Wheel spin, the focus is now more on new vehicles and money. Source: PC Games The optical appearance increases a smaller role than in the past. Instead of being considered in Fora Horizon 4 with every second reward with clothing and emotes, the focus is much stronger in earning credits and new cars — for many certainly joyful news.

Activities: Expeditions, Reinvents & Event Lab

The history of Fora Horizon 5 builds on the predecessor. After we as one of the great stars in the UK have helped the Horizon festival into a huge success, we should now reach the same in Mexico. Our everyday life consists of exploring the map and unlocked events such as traditional sprint or landscape arrays. In addition, there are horizon-typically short entertainment snacks for in between, such as EP and fast travel panels that are distributed everywhere in the world — some line on the roadside, sometimes packed in a smaller challenge. There are also fourteen barns finds again, with which we unlock classic and special vehicles. In the gameplay, we will always be drawn attention to the barn finds through the total of five radio stations. Our job is then to see a selected game area exactly to reveal the often very well hidden secrets.

That sounds so far to Fora Horizon 4, right too, but there is still much more! The biggest innovation embody the so-called expeditions. The brand-new story mode helps us to dive into Mexican culture and history and also offers a nice variety to the everyday race. Let s help us to help an old VW Beetle, called Mexican Vodka Vocal. Elsewhere, we explore impressive temples and landmarks. Of course, the expeditions are not a tricky story elements with surprising twists, but relax the game principle and put Mexico greatly in scene. It is as positive as well as Clever Playground Games gradually pricing the world map full icons. New chapters of the expeditions are released during the course, as well as we must always open up new festival outposts, which reward us with new activities and events. A flood of activities: As well as in the past, our world map is crammed with icons and events, but the way there has been improved. By outposts and the new story mode expeditions, Mexico gradually releases. Source: PC Games One of the greatest criticisms of the Fora Horizon series is the slightly crowded card that can easily overwhelming the one or the other. After just under ten class hours, the games map is enormously filled again, but the way there is an integral and pleasant. The tropical racing package of the Xbox brand is rounded by a multiplayer mode, which we have not been able to test extensively, and the so-called event Lab. The event Lab is a huge editor with which we can create and share your own racing events. On the one hand, it is possible for us to browse in a catalog, which presents us, among other things, current trend creations or the All-Time Greats. Fourteen barns, fourteen cars: The barn finds return once again and give us the opportunity to find a total of fourteen original and classic vehicles. Source: PC Games In addition, there are individual small challenge cards that we connect to a Horizon Super 7. On players, there is thus an event consisting of seven little challenges in the game world, created by the community. On the other hand, we can of course also fall into the tree module even in the tree module and let us out steam — a huge plus! If you prefer small party and mini-games instead of racing action, which is in good hands with Horizon Arcade, where there are more than 130 challenges that distribute over eleven categories. Boredom should not be so fast.

Motivation: Flood of Rewards, Wheel spins & Skills Points

As in the past horizon titles, you will be rewarded for really every stuff. Bot the front yard of a small barn? Here, a few experience points! Destroy the lush nature Mexico? Class, well done! Logically, all that is not possible. Presumably, the Mexican population would go to the barricades in wind parts on the barricades and protest against the huge car festival. Instead, we are fired, encouraged in our actions and motivated throughout any way.

Autospecific skill system: As in Fora Horizon 4, skills are not distributed on us as a driver s talent, but specifically on our many cars. We found that more than annoying, but some will certainly like that. Source: PC Games The reward system together with Wheel spins and gifts, which has now been insentient and pleasant installed, is located apart from his presentation of his predecessor, but unfortunately also the skill system. It was still at Fora Horizon 3 so that we were allowed to distribute ability points to all cars at the same time, it is now again like in Fora Horizon 4 vehicle-specific. There is certainly advocates of this decision. We found that rather than disturbing and exhausting.

Driving: Arcade Racing has never felt better

Let s get one of the most important points when it comes to a racing game: the driving experience. Here Fora Horizon always makes you a good figure. Particularly noteworthy is the better control feedback, which can be better developed thanks to the Xbox Series X-Controller. On the other hand, the driving sensation in the water has improved significantly. It was still in the predecessors so that we lost all engine power in milliseconds, this is finally realistic and more dynamic. AB to the cockpit: In addition to individual difficulty options, there are of course some camera perspectives, including from the cockpit. Source: PC Games To give us the opportunity to dive into our very own way in Mexico, of course there are various camera perspectives. Of course, cockpit perspectives should not be missing with the six options. All of them are well implemented, the best figure makes Fora Horizon 5 but from the standard perspective, so with a camera that is a piece behind our vehicle. from Xbox, for Xbox: at the total of over 500 vehicles of various prestige manufacturers such as Mercedes, Ferrari, Ford & Co. is also found in the iconic M12 Warthog from the Halo series — a great fan feature! Source: PC Games Individually adjustable difficulty levels may not be missing in a modern racing game. If you do not feel like the Arcade Far, you can adapt yourself to the behavior of the cars slightly more realistic by switching off the ABS and other options. But forza motorsport, the Horizon offshoot does not logically transform itself. At the Avatars there are little updates to report: our opponents behave as if they were doing a bit too easy for the victory, only to unnecessarily aggressively in the curve input to nozzles.

In general, however, the road behavior of decreased and more peaceful, also in relation to traffic. Compared to older horizon titles, it is far less on the streets — we felt that very pleasant. In addition, there is finally right traffic, which helps significantly helps to keep your own car of optical damage. Fora Horizon 5 presents itself similar to his predecessors on the tuning and design front. We can customize any car with various optical and technical upgrades to our desired idea and thus develop the many vehicles according to off-road or street use. Of course, with the designs, we can create your own hand with some stickers and shapes, but also on creations of Playground Games or the community — who so does not like to be designed for yourself, can also name beautifully designed vehicles.

Graphics & Technology: one of the most beautiful open-world games of all time

Finally, we would like to talk about probably the most obvious plus of Fora Horizon 5: the phenomenal graphic, which is once again based on the Fora Tech Engine. In addition to the lively and breathing game meadow of the fifth horizon festival, the technically excellent condition is also impressed. Although there are rarely individual textures in the rearview mirror or in the distance to watch something too late, apart from that, we noticed any technical blades. Magnificent storms: Again and again it can happen that a violent sand or tropical storm appears in front of our bumper. They do not just make a lot of all enough, they are exciting and expand the previous Fora fame pleasant. Source: PC Games Our game recordings are recorded in performance mode, which offers a frame rate of 60 fps at a resolution 1920 x 1080. It is also possible to achieve a frame rate of 30 fps with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 with the graphics mode. Unfortunately, this range of options is not on the original Xbox One, yet we were surprised what a good figure forza horizon 5 on the meanwhile just under eight-year-old console. Only the somewhat long loading times disturb the game flow, especially as the Fora experience often motivates us to vehicle changes.

The system requirements of Fora Horizon 5 in the overview

Another highlight we want to go into is the impressive sky, which is through the day and night change as well as the many weather changes a gem of the racing game. About hundreds of hours, the dynamic Sky Mexico was recorded to create a panorama of realistic cloud ceilings and plenty of warm shades. In addition, the new tropical storms and weather events ensure a feeling of the master class.

Conclusion: far more than a masterful racing game...

The question remains where Fora Horizon 5 is now classified and for whom the game is worthwhile: the fifth horizon-sause is an eye-catcher and a brilliant open-world game that is no question about the best video games of recent years. Whether racing, graphic or simply open-world fan, through the strong focus on adventure and exploration, Fora Horizon 5 offers for every game type. Anyone who gets involved in the Parisian Mexico, which is rewarded with a game fun promise in one of the most beautiful virtual resorts that there are currently admiring. Fora Horizon 5 in the test: Grandsons Open World Masterpiece — New King of Racing Games? (with video!) (11) Source: PC Games

Fable-comeback: Everything about the next project of Playground Games

Fora Horizon 5 appeared on 09 November 2021 for PC, Xbox Series X and S as well as for the Xbox One consoles. In addition, the Xbox Exclusive adorns itself with a day one release on the Xbox Game Pass (all November access at a glance) and the popular feature Xbox Play Anywhere. Those who are still happy on the PC with Fora due to the console bottlenecks, which can be easily and without surcharge in the future on Series X (our high technology test of the new Xbox).

How did you like our navigation by the tropical landscapes Mexico? Will you give the Xbox masterpiece a chance, or can you just do nothing with racing? Write us your experiences with the series in the comments and let us know what questions are still open. Our Tester Mac will always go back to the comment section to support you as well as to support your journey through Mexico.

My opinion

Back nae em Cheema editor marcel.naeem-cheema@computec.de

Wow! The Xbox brand has a new figurehead

Who thinks about Xbox, who is immediately confronted with iconic scenes of the Master Chiefs — that s almost a firmly existing law in the gaming world. But so big fan I am also from the original halo trilogy, so much has passed the space photo from its former star. Hallo is still exciting and pretty good, in its best moments even breathtaking and captivating, but Playground Games is becoming more and more about the new center of the many Xbox Games Studios. Every single part of the Horizon series is great, and you notice in every second how much heart blood and work has flowed into the Open World titles. With Fora Horizon 5 you can now reach new heights. My only problem: How should one wait for this force for so long for Fable, that is currently in playground in development?! Well... At least one has the virtual Mexico to give up over a very long period of time.

See all 26 pictures in the gallery

Fora Horizon 5 in the test: Grandsons Open World Masterpiece — New King of Racing Games? (1) [Source: Microsoft]

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By Mac Nae em Cheema editor 11.11.2021 at 12:22