Forza Horizon 5 Should Hit PlayStation

Simply put, there's nothing quite like Forza Horizon 5 on the PlayStation 5. While other racing games have tried to capture the magic of Forza Horizon, none have quite hit the mark in the same way.

The Crew Motorfest? It's close. By adopting a festival-centric approach, it mirrors Forza Horizon more than its predecessors did, leaning into the ethos of 'if you can't beat them, join them.'

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown? Unfortunately, it falls short. While the original Test Drive Unlimited inspired the Forza Horizon series, Solar Crown's always-online requirement without a solo mode contrasts sharply with Forza Horizon's seamless offline and online play, available since Forza Horizon 2.

Need for Speed Unbound? It boasts an impressive customization suite that outshines Forza Horizon in some aspects, but its focus on high-speed pursuits makes it less of a direct competitor.

No, the undisputed champion of modern open-world racing is Forza Horizon 5, now available on PlayStation 5 for the first time. The expansive and stunning Mexico map, the drift-friendly vehicle dynamics, and an extensive garage of over 900 cars, including many cult favorites, offer PlayStation users an immersive experience unlike any other.

The reaction from the community has been a joy to observe.

The influx of new players is something the team at Playground Games has eagerly anticipated. "Yeah, I'm super excited," says art director Don Arceta. "For many, this will be their first Forza Horizon game, and that's just thrilling to think about."

Arceta is particularly excited to see what PlayStation 5 players will create using Forza Horizon 5's Event Lab, with its vast array of customization tools. "We have over 800 props in the Event Lab, and the creativity of the community is mind-blowing. I can't wait to see what the PlayStation 5 community will build."

"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 as technically sound as its Xbox and PC counterparts, a significant achievement given the game's size and the fact that the engine was new to PlayStation. "Bringing it to the PS5 was no small task," explains Arceta. "It was quite a huge undertaking, but Panic Button, in collaboration with Turn 10 and ourselves, did an amazing job."

For car enthusiasts, the Forza series has always been the ultimate destination for a diverse range of vehicles, from the mainstream to the obscure. The idea of new players discovering their favorite cars in Forza Horizon 5 is particularly exciting.

Lead game designer David Orton emphasizes the breadth of Forza Horizon 5. "The breadth of Horizon is staggering," he says. "Players can find what they enjoy, whether it's road racing, track racing, photography, or creating content in Event Lab. Horizon welcomes everyone and offers something for all."

"For me, a victory would be hearing players say, 'I can't believe I've never played this game before,'" says Arceta. "That surprise and delight from players, hearing their stories, is what we're looking for."

Orton agrees, adding, "Players who've never tried Horizon before, jumping into this world and realizing it's a warm, welcoming place full of fun, that's a win. We're excited to bring in a whole new cohort of players who may have never played a Forza title before."

In the world of gaming, where console loyalty can be fiercely tribal, the arrival of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 breaks down a significant barrier for racing game fans. Let's hope it's not the last.