In 2012, the Playground Games teams released a new license: Forza Horizon. A game, in the direct line of Test Drive Unlimited, which allowed us to drive the most beautiful cars in the world in heavenly locations. After Colorado, the south of France, Australia and Scotland, Forza Horizon 5 took us on a Mexican trip in 2021 on Xbox Series X/S, PC and Xbox One.
Four years after its release, the title will soon be available on PS5, in an ultra-complete version, with a large part of the DLC and updates. A few days after the excellent Indiana Jones and the Ancient Circle, should we fall for this new ex-Xbox exclusive on PS5? Let's take stock.
Yes, for the gargantuan content
Let's be clear, Forza Horizon 5 will keep you busy for many, many hours on PS5! The base game was already very solid in terms of content. But now, with the Hot Wheels, Rally Adventure and Horizon Realms expansions, you'll have plenty to do to complete 100% of the game and earn the 165 trophies present on this PS5 version!
The content, in addition to being substantial, will also be varied, offering you quite a lot. Whether it's solo, free mode, multiplayer events, races, time trials, off-road events, story missions, but also the offbeat Hot Wheels and Horizon Realms events, you'll have plenty to do, without getting bored!
Yes, for instant gaming pleasure
From the first seconds, you are in the action with maximum pleasure. The particularity of Forza Horizon 5 is that it is a game that is half arcade, half simulation, very fun and immediately accessible. The introduction puts you behind the wheel of a Ford Bronco at the top of a volcano, then behind the wheel of the incredible Mercedes Benz AMG One which approaches 400 km/h.
The difference in driving is noticeable, but the pleasure is guaranteed and it works really well. The gameplay is a real joy and the game allows you, from the first minutes, to drive the most beautiful and legendary cars on the planet.
So, yes, for those who like to have a feeling of progression and buy their cars after some hard work, move on. This isn't a "simulation" game like Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown. Here, in less than twenty minutes, you'll have won more than a dozen cars and will already be racing Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Paganis. Likewise, forget the realistic and simulation aspect. In Forza Horizon, although driving is very enjoyable and sometimes demanding, you can drive at 300 km/h and speed through fields in a Ferrari Pista without any worries. Forza Horizon is, above all, fun and enjoyment, accessible to all. And this fifth installment is no exception.
Yes for the visual and technical slap
It was already the case on Xbox and PC. Forza Horizon 5 is still as sublime on PS5. It's beautiful. It runs well and is extremely smooth.
The game offers a Performance mode that lets you play in 4K and 60 FPS, but without ray-tracing. You can also choose Quality mode, which gives you 4K at 30 FPS and ray-tracing enabled for everything. Finally, you have a middle ground with Performance RT mode, which offers 4K resolution, 60 FPS, and a little ray-tracing for car reflections, but not for the road.
In any case, the game runs very well. In our session, over 15 hours of play, no bugs, no drop in frame rates (in performance mode on PS5). The game runs perfectly well. And it's pure pleasure!
Mixed on the price and paid DLC part
Despite all the positives, there is still a small downside. The game is sold at full price (€79.99), and with more DLC at a fairly steep price. For example, the five-car Universal Studios pack, including three versions of the DeLorean from Back to the Future, will cost €9.99. Considering the game's fourth anniversary at the end of the year, that's still a pretty steep price. Too bad.
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