Don’t be afraid to open this next door – everyone behind it is friendly. Really friendly. Surprisingly friendly, for motorsport festival goers.
Its Forza Horizon 5!
James: Forza Horizon 5 often feels like not a great game to play, but rather a more enjoyable place. We are all familiar with fantasy of power but here we have what you might call an entertaining fantasy, a deadly beautiful sandbox where competition equals discovery. , adventure and the simple pleasures of just bombing around for the sake of it. The video game-heavy but videogame-leaning model makes this a perfectly viable and fun way to spend time, and while it’s certainly up to those who want something authentic and like more realistic… sometimes I just want to get over a cliff and admire the scenery, you know?
That said, the events that I find myself replaying most often tend to be the least chill. There is one where you chase a cargo plane in the woods. One of those places where you drift around the lip of an active volcano. Where you go rally with a parade float. Even bread and butter road races can come with interesting twists: a lap event is a one lap race around the border of the entire vast map, a race that maintains the tension. masterfully straight during the fifteen minutes it took place in a decent car.
Not that this game will even think about rubbing your face when you lose. From the enthusiasm of the NPCs to the kaleidoscope of high scores and XP reward warnings popping up on the HUD, the tone of Forza Horizon 5 is relentlessly upbeat. Even the moment you take the wheel for the first time, as the cutscene transitions into your car ascending the aforementioned volcano, accompanied by a music drop from soundtrack.
Such constant affirmation that you are one proper legend, mate will be in most games, and to be honest, it’s also going in a very good way here. But for me, it mostly contributed to the feeling that Forza really wanted me to be there and have a good time. Judging by the lack of microtransactions (other than a one-time “VIP Membership” upgrade for some unlocking rewards), there is also no malign motive for this approach. If anything, the free unlock keys are thick and fast enough that abrasive events feel unnecessary, at least for building a versatile car collection.
Ah yes, the cars. There are loads. I’m not a car player, so I can’t tell you, for example, whether the rotation of the Lamborghini Urus in the game is faithful to the rotation of the real thing, but with just over 500 models, it’s impressive to see How different each one feels from the last. Choosing the right wheel for the right event can save you some trouble with handling or acceleration, but again, Forza Horizon 5 wants you to have a ride that’s better than all and knows the difference. Distinguish between rewarding driving knowledge and practicing it. So rival cars are assigned to match whatever you choose, saving you an inevitable loss. Luxury supercars also have more off-road capabilities than expected, though there’s a reason – I’ve yet to manage to lean 60 degrees in a McLaren.
However, for the most part, Forza Horizon 5 answers the question “Can I try this?” with a beaming smile “Sure!”
“…And you were great to ask!”
