Forza Horizon 5 Should Hit PlayStation

In the world of PlayStation 5 gaming, there's truly nothing that matches the experience of Forza Horizon 5. While other titles have their strengths, none encapsulate the unique blend of open-world racing, stunning visuals, and expansive content that Forza Horizon 5 delivers.

The Crew Motorfest comes close, adopting a festival approach that echoes the Forza Horizon series more than its predecessors. However, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown falls short. Although the original Test Drive Unlimited influenced the Forza Horizon series, Solar Crown's always-online requirement without a solo mode doesn't align with Horizon's flexibility of seamless offline and online play, a feature since Forza Horizon 2.

Need for Speed Unbound boasts an impressive customization suite that outshines Horizon in some areas, but its focus on high-speed pursuits positions it more as an arcade racer rather than a direct competitor to Forza Horizon 5's open-world experience.

Forza Horizon 5 stands out as the unrivaled champion of modern open-world racing games, now making its debut on the PlayStation 5. Its expansive Mexico map, drift-friendly vehicle dynamics, and an extensive garage of over 900 cars, including cult favorites, offer an unparalleled experience. PlayStation users are diving into this for the first time, and the reaction has been exhilarating to observe.

The team at Playground Games is thrilled about the influx of new players. "Yeah, I'm super excited," says art director Don Arceta. "For many, this will be their first Forza Horizon game. It's exciting to think about their initial experiences with the series."

Arceta is particularly eager to see what PlayStation 5 players will create using Forza Horizon 5's extensive Event Lab customization tools. "We have over 800 props in the Event Lab, and the creativity of the community is mind-blowing," he says. "I'm super excited to see what the PlayStation community will build."

"You'll actually get some pretty good Halo content too on the PlayStation, with the Event Lab props!"

The PlayStation 5 port of Forza Horizon 5 is technically impeccable, matching the quality of its Xbox and PC counterparts. "It was quite a huge task," Arceta notes, acknowledging the challenges of adapting the game to the PlayStation environment. The port was developed by Panic Button, in collaboration with Turn 10 and Playground Games, and has been praised for its quality.

For car enthusiasts, Forza Horizon 5 is a treasure trove of unique and beloved vehicles. "No other racing series contains more weird and wonderful cars," I believe, and I'm excited for new players to discover their favorite cars within the game.

Lead game designer David Orton emphasizes the game's breadth, which he believes will impress new players. "The breadth of Horizon is quite staggering," he says. "Players have the freedom to enjoy whatever aspect of the game they want, whether it's road racing, track racing, photography, or creating content in the Event Lab. Horizon is a welcoming space for everyone."

Both Arceta and Orton hope to see players surprised and delighted by their first experience with Forza Horizon 5. "A victory would be players saying, 'I can't believe I've never played this game before,'" says Arceta. "That surprise and engagement is what we're aiming for."

Orton agrees, highlighting the game's warm and welcoming nature. "Players realizing, 'Oh my goodness, how have I never played this game before?' That's a win for us. We're excited to bring a whole new cohort of players into the Forza world on PlayStation."

In a world where gaming communities can be fiercely loyal to their platforms, Forza Horizon 5's arrival on PlayStation 5 breaks down a significant barrier for racing game fans. Let's hope this is just the beginning of more inclusive gaming experiences.