Forza Horizon 5, a racing video game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios in 2021, marks the fifth installment in the Forza Horizon series and the twelfth main entry in the overall Forza franchise. Set in a fictionalized depiction of Mexico, the game hit the shelves on November 9, 2021, available for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms.
The game garnered widespread critical acclaim and achieved significant commercial success immediately upon its release, boasting a player base of over ten million within its first week, making it the most successful launch ever for an Xbox Game Studios title. Forza Horizon 5 received numerous accolades, including IGN’s prestigious Game of the Year award, along with three jury-voted awards at The Game Awards 2021, tying with Hazelight’s It Takes Two for the highest number of wins.
Forza Horizon 5, a racing game set in a fictitious portrayal of Mexico, boasts the largest map in the series, 50% larger than its predecessor, Forza Horizon 4, with the highest elevation. Creative director Mike Brown lauds the map’s diversity, featuring a volcanic caldera, jungles, beaches, Mayan temples, and cities like Guanajuato. Players enjoy freedom in exploration, multiplayer races, and campaign mode. Extensive customization options extend to cars and player characters, including custom liveries, tunes, engine and drivetrain swaps, and body kits. The game pioneers ray tracing on cars, with a new weather system reflecting Mexico’s varied climates across eleven biomes, impacting gameplay with features like dust and tropical storms. Forza Horizon 5 introduces Horizon Arcade, offering mini-multiplayer games like “Piñata Pop” and “EventLab” for creating custom games. “Forza Link” aids player connectivity, while accolades reward completing tasks, unlocking vehicles. The Eliminator mode returns, with players starting in a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle. Players can purchase in-game houses for rewards like Wheelspins and Fast Travel. With over 800 licensed vehicles, the base game initially lacked vehicles from Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Lancia due to licensing issues, but they returned in a later update.
