With Forza Horizon 5 Arriving, PS5 Is Now a True Racing Hub

After long being tied to the Xbox ecosystem, it’s Microsoft’s top-tier racing series, Forza Horizon 5, that is now breaking free.

As a thrilled fan playing Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, I must say it’s an exhilarating experience! However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind during the game’s launch. Firstly, when you start the game, you’ll need to connect a Microsoft account – a requirement that other Xbox-to-PlayStation games like Sea of Thieves also impose. Regrettably, this doesn’t mean cross-progression from PC or Xbox saves is possible on PS5. On the bright side, there is cross-play between PC, Xbox, and PS5 versions of the game.

For PlayStation players specifically, a PS Plus subscription is mandatory to access online features in Forza Horizon 5. Once enabled, the game can accommodate up to 16 players simultaneously in the game world. The multiplayer offerings are quite extensive, spanning from a battle royale mode called The Eliminator to a wide array of mini-game challenges, such as smashing pinatas and navigating obstacle courses.

It’s essential to note that Forza Horizon 5 also has a single-player offline mode. However, without an active internet connection, you won’t be able to interact with the bustling auction house or test out other players’ custom tracks, among other features.

If you’ve been considering playing Forza Horizon 5, now might be the best moment! Released in 2021, the game has undergone numerous updates and improvements. However, I must mention that the base edition on PS5, priced at $59.99, does not include the Hot Wheels and Rally Adventure DLCs – these need to be purchased separately along with various Car Packs. Despite this, the basic version offers an impressive array of content. With over 700 cars included initially, and the number exceeding 800 when we factor in DLC, you won’t find yourself lacking in choice.

Not only can you anticipate even more exciting content, but the release of Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 aligns with a fresh, free update across all its platforms. The highlight of this update is the introduction of Horizon Realms, which offers 11 favorite settings from Forza’s Evolving Worlds seasonal rotation. Additionally, a new permanent Horizon Stadium Circuit will be added to the game, along with the 11 returning Realms locations from previous seasons.

For automotive enthusiasts, eight fresh vehicles have been incorporated into the game through an update. Four of these (such as the thrilling Lamborghini Revuolto) can be obtained by accomplishing Horizon Realms achievements. The remaining four cars hail from the latest Nissan Retro Rides collection. As with every car pack, a price tag of $4.99 is associated with this DLC.

For PS5 users, the most thrilling change is the addition of DualSense compatibility. Developers Turn 10 have verified complete DualSense and DualSense Edge compatibility, offering adaptive trigger feedback that simulates braking thresholds and road surfaces. If it performs like ‘Gran Turismo 7’ or ‘The Crew Motorfest’, rough terrain will significantly increase vibration intensity, while the accelerator and brake pedals will provide a realistic resistance that corresponds to the triggers.

Fortunately for PS5 gamers, it’s not just Forza Horizon 5 that’s getting updates – even Gran Turismo 7, a PlayStation exclusive, is deeply rooted on the PS5 and continues to receive new content three years after its release. As of now, it’s already received its 28th free update since its launch in 2022. Over this period, more than 300 extra cars and several circuits have been added to the game. Now, GT7 boasts a collection of 532 vehicles and 39 tracks (excluding different layouts).

After purchasing GT7, you get all its content (even updates) for free. As a result, PlayStation racing enthusiasts now have a significant edge: they can play Sony’s top exclusive, Gran Turismo 7, as well as the recently ported version of Forza Horizon 5. It’s surprising to think that in 2025, Sony players can enjoy one of Xbox’s main exclusive racing games, Forza Horizon 5, along with Sony’s renowned Gran Turismo series. But that’s the current situation.

Fans of sim racing on PS5 have options like GT7 and Assetto Corsa, but what about those who prefer open-world racing? While Forza Horizon 5 is a recent addition, there were already several high-quality open-world racers within the PlayStation family. One such game is The Crew Motorfest, although its map is smaller than that of The Crew 2’s entire United States, it encompasses the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Maui. Notably, a recent free update for Maui has been released, adding the new island along with new Playlist challenges and vehicles.

A captivating open-world racer that’s been making waves recently is Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. Despite boasting a detailed and diverse map of Hong Kong Island, this game has faced some challenges with its online features. Interestingly, even after its launch last year, TDU: SC has received an update that adds the Ibiza island map, although it’s smaller compared to the Ibiza map in TDU 2. With the addition of Forza Horizon 5, PlayStation racing enthusiasts now have three premier open-world racing experiences to explore the globe with some of the fastest and most coveted cars.

For enthusiasts of go-kart racing, there’s no shortage of top-tier games to select from, despite not finding Mario Kart among them. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled serves as an exhilarating and entertaining alternative to Mario Kart, maximizing the potential of its PlayStation-branded intellectual property. Team Sonic Racing and the forthcoming Sonic Racing Crossworlds continue the flavorful kart racing experience synonymous with genre greats. Moreover, there’s a wealth of third-party arcade racers available on PS5. The new entry from Need for Speed is yet to be announced, but NFS Unbound has garnered high praise for its cop chases and authentic car brands, boasting some of the best exhaust sounds in gaming. Hot Wheels Unleashed 1 and 2 are also entertaining, offering custom track creation and satisfying physics that even allow you to soar off the track.

At present, the racing environment on PlayStation is arguably the most robust in gaming. It’s increasingly probable that racing exclusives from Microsoft, such as Forza Motorsport, will also be available on PlayStation. This means Sony racing enthusiasts now have a diverse selection of both Xbox and PS racing titles to explore. Remarkably, there isn’t a single racing genre missing from the PS5 library. However, I wish there was less focus on microtransactions and season passes in modern racing games, as this issue is prevalent across the industry. With an assortment of games like GT7, Assetto Corsa, Forza Horizon 5, The Crew Motorfest, TDU Solar Crown, and numerous arcade racers, PlayStation gamers are spoiled for choice when it comes to enjoyable driving games.

Please note that the opinions presented in this piece are solely those of the writer, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or stance of the gaming platform GamingBolt as a whole. The author’s perspective should not be attributed to GamingBolt as a collective entity.

2025-04-02 16:11

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