Forza Horizon 5 Review - IGN

Forza Horizon 5 is the result of a racing studio at the peak of its craft and the best open-world racing game available.

[Tedakin]

Well, obviously.

[kickerz]

Game of the year

[CaptainHenry916]

Racing games don't win GOTY unfortunately. Definitely best racer of the year.

[roadkillers]

^ Burnout 3 says hello. Won numerous GotY awards

[4Sh0w]

Take a bow, Playground Games.

[ElvisHuxley]

Even if racing games did get GOTY awards, it really didn't change enough from the previous games to warrant it. It's great that they've refined the formula as much as they have, but there isn't really enough new things to justify it. New location, new car roster, prettier graphics. Need more than that, lol. Much like sim racers, sandbox racers are relatively niche.
@roadkillers Burnout did something different, a rare occurrence in the racing genre.

[generic-user-name]

I actually think it will win GOTY this year, not only because it's the best in its genre but because the judges are not blind, they'll have seen the "racing games don't win GOTY" comments over and over again and will want to try and prove their critics wrong.

[Obelisk92]

Burnout 3 was GOTY because it was freaking incredible and revolutionary to some extent.

I think this one is a GOTY contender, but just because 2021 has been a pretty week year. Returnal is my favorite game.

[strifeblade]

I'm just waiting for that random sony fanboy to say.... but bbut bbut driveclub looks better LOL

[CaptainHenry916]

@roadkillers

I guess you're going to be disappointed then 😁

[LordoftheCritics]

Very expected.

I am a huge fan of Forza games and I am glad this did not disappoint.

[Christopher]

The Forza games always make me wish I was into racing games. I've tried the last FH and it was okay fun, just not my cup of tea. But dang if it wasn't good at what it does on technical and conceptual levels that I can fully appreciate.

[gamer7804]

Right I love racing games and most other games but I can’t get into rogue lite or souls like games. So no matter how well blood borne scores I just couldn’t get into it.

[4Sh0w]

Right for me its jrpg's, Ive tried I just dont like them.

[My_Name_is_Earl]

Agreed 4Sh0w! I'm in the same boat. I find them so hokey! Glad there's a market for them

[outsider1624]

For me it's the whole open world type racing. I'm not into those types. I prefer circuit racing which is why i cannot wait for GT7 with a campaign mode finally.

[onisama]

wow i cant believe this comment section everyone seem decent !! very rare

[darthv72]

Damn... it kills me I have this preloaded and I wont be able to play it tomorrow as Im going out of town. It goes live on the 5th and i wont be back until the 7th. oh well... anticipation is a hell of a drug.

I may be able to at least play through the opening. i love the way the horizon games open with part cinematic and part racing.

[Lightning77]

Yeah we saw it coming.

[XbladeTeddy]

Looking forward to this. Just a great racing game all round it seems and on game pass which is a bonus.

[Tedakin]

91 on Metacritic with 53 reviews in.

[PrinceOfAnger]

Now 70+

[Tedakin]

Nope, still 91.... :P

[My_Name_is_Earl]

He meant 70+ reviews. You guys are too sensitive.

[dumahim]

Are you have no sense of sarcasm.

[CaptainHenry916]

The PC version is 91 with 13 reviews and the Xbox version is 92 with 70+ reviews

[Old McGroin]

@ My_Name_is_Earl

He knew. See the little face at the end of his sentence with the tongue sticking out like this. :P

That means he's being a little cheeky.

[My_Name_is_Earl]

I was responding to the downvotes Prince was getting McGroin... Also thank for giving me the opportunity to type McGroin for the first time in my life!

[Workshyskiver]

oooft. My body is willing, my slow internet fears the day one update though.

[phoenixwing]

I understand your pain

[Bladesfist]

I'm really looking forward to getting back into Horizon, wasn't really a fan of racing games until I tried Horizon 4.

[iplay1up2]

Try Horizon 3. The Hot Wheels DLC is epic!

[NeoGamer232]

I lost interest in racing games til Forza Horizon. It is the bar to which all other arcade racers should be measured.

[SeTTriP]

Yeah this was expected.they just have a winning formula and a clear love for the sport.

[littletad]

The first racing game I'm going to buy in almost two decades. Hats off to playground games. You've done the gaming community proud.

[Good-Smurf]

So why took you so long then?

[littletad]

Just never been a racing fan. But I tried FH4 via gamepass. I had to do a quest for MS points involving it. I ended up really liking it and was surprised it was open world. Just naturally assumed all racing games were the same prior, but this series really hooked me. Decided to hold off purchasing it and wait for 5 when I realized it was coming out soon.

[nickanasty206]

Man you have to play burnout 3 and revenge! I feel like those games paved the way for Forza Horizon.

[Flawlessmic]

No suprises here really, cant wait for the 9th!!!

[Magog]

IGN sure is handing out a lot of 10s lately. I remember when it was a big deal to get a 10 from them.

[King_Noctis]

You’re right, but this is one of the few games that I don’t mind them giving out a 10. The Forza Horizon series has always been exceptional.

[Inverno]

Nothing against this game personally, but I'm getting tired of seeing so many 10s being given lately like nothing. You can't find a single flaw? No bugs, glitches, annoyances, inconsistencies? Nothing at all to criticize that you would've liked a different way? Just a perfect 10? I find that really hard to believe. IGN reviews especially, no matter the game, I don't believe half their reviews

[4Sh0w]

Ive had this conversation many times. In general a 10 does NOT suggest perfection in the sense that you cant find one flaw or several for that matter. It simply means that a game within its genre is THE BEST at what it does AND whatever flaws there are were so minor that they didnt hurt the experience in anyway. Sort of like a beautiful work of art, a great book, a beautiful woman= a minor smudge, a uneccessary paragraph, better hair style or whatever doesnt make them any less beautiful. I take you at your word that it sounds like for you its just the principle but its funny though whenever a Xbox game gets a 10, theres always this question or a few comments implying the score was paid for as if its impossible the reviewer just liked it that much.

[strifeblade]

I dont think u understand what a 10 means. It means all those other racers that got 9- forza is on a whole other level. It just set the bar higher once again after forza 4. To the arcade racer genre this is about as close to perfect as you can get.

[SeTTriP]

The game is just pure fun with an emphasis on costumization (practically unlimited).it's not a sim and it doesn't have to be either.

I'm a ps fan and I think this is better then gt simply because its more accessible.

Not a huge racing fan myself so the not so sim racer is more appealing to me.

[aconnellan]

Like which games? Do you mind sharing some examples of their recent 10s that you might disagree with?

[Tacoboto]

Flight Simulator 2020
The Last of Us Part 2
Hades
Half Life Alyx
Deathloop

Oh ya know, just a bunch of totally-mediocre titles like these

[nickanasty206]

@Tacoboto, Flight Simulator is the best flying simulator out there, so 10 is justified there. TLOU2 i can see what you mean, even though i enjoyed the game. Hades is just universally loved by critics, haven't played to so don't know if it deserves a 10. Half Life Alyx is likely the best single player shooter VR experience you can have, hands down, so 10 deserved there. Deathloop - not my type of game and get what you are saying there.

[NeoGamer232]

To be fair, a lot of reviewers are handing out 100%'s on 'this game. IGN isn't lonely here.

[Lightning77]

That's interesting, what other 10's have they given out this year?

[Father__Merrin]

This is the arcade racer that need for speed could and should have been. There's no doubt horizons is the best in this category 👍🏼 now. It's not only a game but a social place to hang about in with friends

[KicksnSnares]

I’m buying a physical copy of Forza Horizon 5, even though I have Game Pass; I have to support Playground Games and their Masterpiece

[Rocosaurus]

Same here!

[NeoGamer232]

I bought the digital VIP Premium add-on. That way I support Playground and get the VIP perks in the game plus the first two expansions.

[itsmebryan]

Same here

[LoveSpuds]

Perhaps you should support devs who need it, these guys are bankrolled by MS, they don't need your support nearly as much as most of the outfits who's games end up on GamePass.

[LoveSpuds]

I am not sure where you got the impression I am offended squire, you are free to spend your money where you want to, of course. You seem a little highly strung and it seems to me that you are the one who is offended in this interaction.

I just found it interesting to note that your post suggests that you have a desire to support developers properly so I was simply pointing out that there are devs out there who need your help far more that a MS studio does.

Have a good day, I didn't intend to upset you and I am genuinely glad to see you are excited for Forza, not that it matters to you I am sure, but I am also excited to play it.

[gamer7804]

Or support games you like so more get made? No matter who the dev is they can always pivot to something else if sales aren’t good.

[littletad]

Seriously what is the point of this comment? Don't support the developers cause they have a parent company who published and funded the game? Isn't that 90 percent of all studios outside of indies? Your comment is ridiculous.

[Lightning77]

For starters I slightly disagree with the notion you should just buy a game to support a company or studio. You should by a game for soul purpose to enjoy it, if it's your type of game, have fun with it. Not to feel obligated to buy a game because the studio needs the money or for pointless and goofy console war propaganda to prove a point (not saying that's what he's doing.)

But what you're saying is, PG doesn't need support because they're under MS? What? That makes no sense. With that said nobody should by any AAA that's backed by a major publisher because the publisher is rich. Don't buy FW or Ragnarok according to your logic. These companies want to make money period. It's not a charity case or give them a few extra bucks despite money just falling out of there pockets. If that's how you think it works then you know absolutely nothing about buissness. of course they need our money it doesn't matter who's back in these devs. Sony and MS aren't doing this because there bored. They're billion and trillionairs and want to stay billionaire and trillionairs just like any other company on the planet. It's to Provide entertainment and we pay for it and they stay rich.

[4Sh0w]

LoveSpuds,

Damm thats the worst message Ive ever heard. Bankrolled or not Playground put in the hardwork to make this game an exceptional experience and therefore they deserve it if gamers want to show their appreciation with the wallets above & beyond the sub service, I know I will. Its a real bad look to tell someone dont support the studio that did great work, but instead go support another studio just because you say so. No, other studios who make great games will EARN it just like Playground has done.

[darthv72]

I too will buy it physically but I am also bummed there was no steelbook deluxe edition. I have every other one in the series like that but this would be a first to not have one.

[itsmebryan]

@kicks
You can just pay $45 for the premium bundle add-on to GP version. That way you can support them, start playing on the 5th early, get everything, and save money like I did.

[Rocosaurus]

Probably my game of the year!

[Petebloodyonion]

Holly Macaroni Batman!
They finally gave Forza a 10.
Stop the press, after all theses years of 9 and 9.5 they gave a perfect score.
But I’m pretty sure Gamespot will find something to pick to make sure the essential tag is not awarded despite saying each time how it’s the best and ans how it’s improve the genre.

[My_Name_is_Earl]

PG have done so well. I think they should maintain the 3 year gap between releases now.

[autobotdan]

'Quite possibly the greatest game ever made' -Gamefan magazine FH5 review

[VerminSC]

Damn, wish I could try this

[ARESWARLORD]

Game of the year it seems.

[spicelicka]

This looks amazing! Mexico was such a great choice this time, there is so much diversity from cities, to farmlands, to lush forests, to deserts, to volcanoes, to beaches!

[Sprucegoose77]

This looks incredible! PS is my go to console but I sure would not mind a Series X seeing this game! They are impossible to find right now though! I'm not paying some chump $1000.00+ for one I will wait!

[4Sh0w]

Smart decision.

[FanboysKiller]

A racing game with perfect score ! Epic.

[TheColbertinator]

Fantastic

[NeoGamer232]

This year on XB....

Flight Simulator - 90 on Metacritic
Psychonauts 2 - 87 on Metacritic
Forza Horizon 5 - 91 on Metacritic

Pretty hard to say MS is not making great games for their console.

And the way Halo is looking it is hard to say. Campaign and Multiplayer is looking solid, but not sure how reviewers will go with a lack of co-op on day one.

[MadLad]

MS has done a total 180 since the Xbox One launch, but so many on here love to act like it's still the the beginning of the past generation.

The mental gymnastics that people are going to perform when MS not only has the best gaming service, best BC implementation, but also begins releasing all of these big games from award winning devs back to back.

[littletad]

Criticism is pretty warranted though. Before Phil, their strategy was to advertise the hell out of 2 maybe 3 games a year while thinking that could overcome serious droughts. Currently, their worse offender is not advertising their features better. Lots of people don't know cloud saving is free on xbox, but ps and Nintendo charge for that. That MS rewards can pay for Ultimate and more. Xbox fans know about all of this stuff, but the casual crowd is in the dark. Just makes no sense to me. Put out a simple youtube video of their best features, what you can take advantage of. Simple.

[littletad]

Man, I love my Xbox, but I got a bad feeling that Halo is gonna be the one title that disappoints out of your list there. I really hope I'm wrong, but all the focus on multiplayer/FTP isn't very assuring.

[NeoGamer232]

Personally, I think Halo MP already looks great and feedback from gamers seems to concur.

The question is around the campaign, the trailer this week on the campaign has made it look interesting. But we have to see it in action. The story looks like it has tons of potential. Execution is always a question though.

[ArthriticPowers]

Yep the campaign might fail, yep the multiplayer support may not hold the player base deep into next year (although I'm confident it will) but one thing is guaranteed....Gamers playing halo multiplayer will be the most content multiplayer gamers about this holiday!

[brewin]

I'm still not done horizon 4 cuz they keep adding new showcase races and all kinds of stuff. I just completed an epic Halo themed showcase. I haven't even started to crack into the DLC! I'm probably just going to say screw it
and buy the DLC bundle so I can play this a few days early.

Just cashed out $100 gift cert from doing rewards quest over the last few months. It's crazy that game pass is such a value as it is and then Microsoft literally pays you to play game pass games by completing all these quests for trying new games and doing Bing searches etc. I don't know why more people don't talk about this. All the money I save from game pass allows me to buy the switch and PS5 games that I wouldn't buy otherwise. Game pass is great for gaming in so many ways it's ridiculous.

[VoiceMale]

Am a gamepass subscriber but the reward quest is not available in my country 😒

[RaiderNation]

As a PlayStation gamer, this is THE one that I've always been jealous of. Sony could've done this with the Motorstorm franchise if they hadn't dismantled Evolution Studios.

[Christopher]

I mean, DriveClub was a bit of a failure and their games steadily declined from the first Motorstorm on PS3 to Driveclub. I think expecting a pretty sharp turnaround, let alone one that would have netted them their first 90+ Metacritic game, is a bit more hopeful than logical.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

This is great! I'm expecting HALO infinite to score high 80s to low 90s

[CR7JUVE1897]

Pre-installing it right now. 116 GB. Lawd.

[Angelin]

This looks awesome, too bad it’s not coming to playstation.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

Every playstation owner has a gaming rig and can get this on gamepass

[Sprucegoose77]

Um no they don't. Do you know how expensive computer parts are right now? To build your own PC right now that could run this game at max (or even close) would be very expensive! I'm a PS owner and I don't have a PC that could run this game!

[hiawa23]

Can't wait👏👏👏 ;👏

[gravedigger]

Forza H. 5 10, Deathloop 10. Surely IGN love to give 10s

[Lore]

Hmm, second IGN reviewer to offer a Msft studio a 10/10. And in the same year

[Imalwaysright]

And?

[Lore]

Deathloop was not a 10. Sorry

[MadLad]

Must be a conspiracy or something. The deep state tricking the sheep into believing that MS can put out quality games if they tried.

[Flewid638]

I prefer extreme racers like WipeOut and Burnout (XL and 3 being the greatest ones respectively).

[LoveSpuds]

I have similar tastes, I would love to see a new Project Gotham Racer from Microsoft, those games were immense fun to play.

Having said that, I am sure I will have a blast with FH5.

[Imalwaysright]

Shouldn't surprise anyone considering Playground's track record.

[ocelot07]

Looking good to me. Getting this in rent but deffinetly be buying when it's a bit cheaper.

[ElvisHuxley]

After watching ACG's review, this isn't a must have for me personally, but it looks like there is definitely some fun to be had. Will pick it up on sale mostly to check out the raytracing now that I finally got my hands on a RTX 3000 card, I really like the art style. I like that the game gets moving faster than the previous games as well. I won't put in enough time to justify $60, but looks like a fun little sandbox nonetheless. Do kinda wish they'd innovate a bit more beyond location and updated roster.

[Bnet343]

Major W right here wow

[OG_TK_Cole]

I remember in 2004 Burnout 3: Takedown won a lot of Game Of The Year accolades. Some notable video game journalist even had it as their Game of the Year" ahead of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Halo 2. Im wondering if this is the year for Forza Horizon 5.

[Orchard]

Looking forward to checking this out, it looks fun and the visuals are very impressive.

[Zerobalance]

I'm downloading it now on GamePass.

[UltimateRacer]

(•\•)

[GhostScholar]

You can tell this game is very good by the fact that there are basically no Sony fan boys in here bashing it.

[JonnyBeoulve]

Can't wait for this. Preloading now. These games are so much fun. I didn't even buy any games this year. This will be the first 2021 release that I've played.

[brewin]

After spending about 20 hours with this game this weekend, I am convinced the is the absolute best racing game ever created! It does so many things and does them all so well that is almost unfair to other racing games on the market. There is street racing, rally racing, cross country racing, stunt racing, and any and everything in between! It literally replaces all the different racing games out there and does so with gusto! Every racing game style you could possibly play is done better in this game!

Seriously, I cannot fathom the excellence present here. Sure, some may say it's similar to FH 4, but that's like saying Mario Odyssey is similar to Mario Galaxy. It's got a similar feel, bit it's different, so much more varied, and much better looking! Playground created a classic!