Forza Horizon 5 offers some of the best graphics I’ve ever seen and does so while providing a tremendous amount of fun and content in what might be the best racing game I’ve ever played. I loved the game at launch, and since 2021 I’ve played on three different platforms and put numerous hours into the game.
As with all Horizon games, it’s an open-world racer with the player exploring the world to find new cars, races and stories. Set in Mexico, players take in the sights from active volcanoes to Mayan temples. Outside of the change to the setting being a little brighter and sunnier than the previous setting of the United Kingdom, one of the most significant changes was the increase in verticality.
Forza Horizon 5 was massive to start with, and now as its 2nd of two DLCS has dropped, there’s even more to do. I was slightly disappointed with the Hot Wheels DLC, but this was primarily due to having already had a similar add-on in Horizon 3. I was worried when the Rally DLC was announced; I might feel similar, as it featured way back in the original game as well. How wrong I was.
In terms of what’s on offer, you’ll get a new area called Sierra Nueva and a new rally career with sets of races in three different race types; each one has its own boss (or, as the game calls them, ambassador) to challenge. One focused on asphalt racing, one on dirt racing and my personal favourite, the night-time rally stages. As you win races, that gets you closer to taking on the final race against the ambassador.
If you’ve played the game before, the way this works will be familiar. Completing more races or challenges will increase your rank, and you’ll continually unlock more cars, emotes and prizes as you level up. There are 11 new cars added in the DLC, and although there is a focus on trucks and buggies here, they are all a blast to drive. I straight-up loved the 2001 Ford Focus RS that can be accessed right after the initial drive in the rally adventure opening.
With the new rally focus comes a wealth of rally-style upgrades (these can also be applied to the cars from the main game), such as body kits and tire profile changes. Star of the show is the new anti-lag upgrade that will see flames spit from your exhaust pipes alongside audio that nearly popped my ears at times.
You’ll have two options for races: Horizon Rally and Horizon Race. I’ve mostly stuck to Horizon Rally, as the tracks have been exceptionally well made and offer something different from the main game. Rather than the regular co-pilot shouting out pace notes from the passenger seat, each track sees you followed by a helicopter; this adds to the thrill as the blades from said helicopter throw sand and dust into your view, meaning you’ll struggle to make out where to turn next.
This seems to have been expanded on from the dust storms from the main game. However, it’s more localised and really helps the game look busier and works to great effect. Horizon Race is more like what is already featured in the main game, with multiple cars on track simultaneously. It’s still good fun, but just more of what we have seen before.
The new Map area feels smaller than previous DLCs. Yet still, there are a ton of races and PR stunts on offer (the largest number to feature in any Horizon expansion yet!). It’s a very dense map, with beautiful areas to explore and sights to see. The tighter turns and changes in road conditions are a lot of fun and keep you on your toes throughout.
I’m a solo driver, but a wealth of multiplayer options are carried over from the main game, with Horizon Open, Horizon Tour and Rivals all joining the fun. As well as this, rally elements have also been added to the Eventlab Blueprint Builder, which should see some of the talented fans of the game expand its lifespan a little further.
You can blast through the main points of the new career and unlock the Horizon Badlands Goliath in around 5 or 6 hours, but if you want to unlock everything the game has, you’ll be here a lot longer.
Honestly, It’s got me wondering where the series could go next and how they can improve it next time. Japan has often been a fan request, and it would be a massive change from the sunny beaches of Mexico. Forza Horizon 5 is fantastic; everyone should play the game on whatever platform they can. Even if driving games are not your thing, I implore you to try it.
-BigGP