Forza Horizon 5 PS5 Review – Still Spectacular

Initially, when I assessed Forza Horizon 5 in 2021, I labeled it as one of the top racing games ever produced, and I continue to strongly believe that assessment today. The racer created by Playground Games showcases a stunningly designed open world, an abundance of highly entertaining content, superior driving mechanics, and much more, culminating in what is likely the best game of its genre you can enjoy on Xbox or PC. Now, it also stands out as the best game of its kind you can play on PS5.

Microsoft has been swiftly broadening its multi-platform distribution network, and the latest addition to this trend is Forza Horizon 5. Previously exclusive to Xbox,

For those not familiar, Forza Horizon 5 immerses players in an expansive, stunning open-world setting modeled after Mexico. While it draws inspiration from the real-life location, it doesn’t strive for exact replication like games such as The Crew. Instead, it aims to create a vast gameplay environment that highlights the unique features and breathtaking beauty of Mexico’s landscapes without feeling bound to a 1:1 recreation.

As a dedicated fan who’s poured countless hours into Forza Horizon on Xbox Series X, I was eagerly anticipating my dive back into this vibrant world on PS5. Even though I knew the game inside and out, it didn’t stop me from feeling that old familiar thrill as I explored its diverse landscapes once more. The stunning vistas, the endless opportunities for discovery, and the plethora of engaging activities make Forza Horizon 5’s world an absolute joy to traverse. And even after years of playing it across different platforms, I find myself still captivated by its charm.

The previously mentioned content within this game is truly remarkable, showcasing an array of events that are grandiose spectacles, including races, drags, rallies, and more. Additionally, there are smaller activities such as bonus boards and speed traps to keep you engaged at every moment. While much of it doesn’t break new ground or innovate significantly, everything is meticulously crafted and expertly implemented. To this day, I haven’t experienced a single dull moment while playing this game.

In Forza Horizon 5, the sheer amount of tasks and activities makes your accomplishments even more impressive. The game’s open-world Mexico map is massive, packed with countless activities that can easily consume numerous hours, if not days. Moreover, the Rally Adventure and Hot Wheels expansions, which are both exceptional on their own (especially Hot Wheels), add even more high-quality content to an already rich base game. After you’ve exhausted all these options – a task that won’t be quick or easy – you can simply enjoy cruising around in your preferred vehicles, an experience that never grows old. Few games can claim to have a world that’s enjoyable just to explore and move around in, regardless of the structured content they provide, but Forza Horizon 5 certainly belongs on this exclusive list.

In simple terms, the extraordinary variety of vehicles you can gather and operate in Forza Horizon 5 is a delight, as each one responds wonderfully and uniquely to your control. The game offers an exhilarating sense of speed, the responsiveness of your actions feels instantaneous and precise, and overall, it handles with dreamlike ease. While Fora Horizon 5 doesn’t aim for the uncompromising authenticity of a hardcore simulator like Forza Motorsport, it masterfully combines arcade racing with realistic simulation elements, albeit leaning more towards the former.

As a massive fan, I can confidently say that playing Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 feels like an unparalleled experience compared to any platform before this point. This extraordinary sensation is largely due to the DualSense controller, which I believe deserves a place among the greatest controllers ever crafted. The DualSense stands out not only for its comfortable design but also for its unique features that significantly enhance an already exceptional racing game.

In the case of Forza Horizon 5, the integration of the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers might not redefine the boundaries of innovation (or lack thereof), but these features undeniably make each driving moment feel more tangible, instantaneous, and impactful than on other platforms. This statement speaks volumes about the gameplay experience.

Not only does Forza Horizon 5 continue to be one of the most visually stunning and technically impressive games I’ve ever played on a console, but it runs flawlessly on the PlayStation 5 as well. Just as on Xbox Series X, where I initially played this game, there are virtually no technical issues or glitches in its PS5 version that would detract from the open-world racing experience. In my time with the game so far, I’ve encountered no drops or stutters. In short, Panic Button has done an excellent job in porting the game over to PlayStation 5.

Eventually, it’s no shock that Forza Horizon 5 is an outstanding game on PS5. This open-world racer made its mark in video game history when it initially came out, and since then, its prestige has only escalated. The belief that it is one of the best racing games ever crafted and a model for all future titles in this genre is becoming more widespread, so it’s no wonder that the game leaves a similar powerful impact on Sony’s console. If you have any curiosity about racing games at all, Forza Horizon 5 is definitely worth giving a try.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-04-25 07:11