Simply put, there's nothing quite like Forza Horizon 5 on the PlayStation 5. While other racing games have tried to capture its magic, none quite match up.
The Crew Motorfest? It's close. By fully embracing the festival vibe, Motorfest feels more akin to Forza Horizon than its predecessors ever did.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown? Unfortunately, it misses the mark. While Forza Horizon owes a nod to the original Test Drive Unlimited's innovative MMO racing, Solar Crown's always-online requirement without a solo mode contrasts sharply with Horizon's seamless transition between offline and online play since Forza Horizon 2.
Need for Speed Unbound? It boasts impressive customization options that outshine Horizon, but its focus on high-speed chases and arcade-style racing makes it a different beast altogether.
No, the undisputed king of modern open-world racing games is Forza Horizon 5, now available on PlayStation 5 for the first time. Its expansive, stunning Mexico map, drift-friendly car dynamics, and a garage boasting over 900 cars, including cult classics unavailable elsewhere, offer a complete package that PlayStation users are experiencing anew.
The reactions have been thrilling to observe.
The influx of new players is something the team at Playground Games has eagerly anticipated. "Yeah, I'm super excited," says Playground Games art director Don Arceta. "For many, this will be their first Forza Horizon game. It's thrilling to think about their initial experiences, much like our own when we first played."
Arceta is particularly eager to see what kind of events and races PlayStation 5 players will craft using Forza Horizon 5's extensive customization tools in the Event Lab. "We have over 800 props now in the Event Lab, and the creativity from the community has been mind-blowing," he says. "I can't wait to see what PlayStation 5 users will build and the creativity they'll bring to the table."
"You'll actually get some pretty good Halo content too on the PlayStation, with the event lab props!"
The port to PlayStation 5 has been executed with technical prowess, matching the quality of its Xbox and PC versions. This is quite an achievement, given the game's size and the fact that the engine had never been used on a PlayStation before. "It was a huge task," Arceta acknowledges, "but Panic Button, in collaboration with Turn 10 and ourselves, did an amazing job. The result is a seamless, high-quality experience on PlayStation."
As a fan of cars, I've always seen the Forza series as the ultimate playground for car enthusiasts, featuring a diverse range of vehicles, from the mainstream to the obscure. The prospect of new players discovering their favorite cars in Forza Horizon 5 is exciting.
For Playground Games lead game designer David Orton, it's the game's vast scope that he believes will captivate new players. "The breadth of Horizon is quite staggering," he says. "Players find what they enjoy, and with so much freedom, they can make it their own experience."
"We pride ourselves on giving players the agency and freedom to do what they want, and the game reacts accordingly," Orton continues. "Whether you're into road racing, Rivals, track racing, photography, or creating content with Event Lab, Horizon welcomes everyone. It's more than just a racing game, and I'm excited for players to discover that."
"For me, a victory would be hearing players say, 'I can't believe I've never played this game before,'" Arceta shares. "That surprise is what engages them and makes them want to explore more. Their delight and stories are what we're looking forward to."
Orton agrees, adding, "Players who've never tried Horizon before, whether due to platform differences or time constraints, will find a warm, welcoming world full of fun. When they realize, 'Oh my goodness, how have I never played this game before? This is incredible,' that's a win for us. We're excited to introduce Forza Horizon 5 to a new audience on PlayStation."
In the world of gaming, where console loyalty can be as fierce as car culture, the arrival of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 breaks down a significant barrier for racing game enthusiasts. Let's hope it's just the beginning.
