FORZA HORIZON 5

₹3,999/www.xbox.com

THE GAME MANAGES TO FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN ARCADE AND SIMULATION

RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO, YOU KNOW you’re in for a ride, in the best of ways. Forza Horizon 5 is the latest addition to the Forza lineup which has been specially enhanced for Xbox Series X/S versions. What this means is that the game designers try to fully utilise the capabilities of Xbox Series X/S consoles and set a tone for next-gen gaming to come to these platforms.

Graphics

Right from the first frame, Forza Horizon 5 looks breathtaking with its photorealistic graphics and life-like environment. The car detailing needs a special mention as it is impeccable and pristinely done. Even during the gameplay, the details even on the number plates, the taillights, the tail wing, everything is really hard to miss.

The environments are gorgeous, using up to five layers of compositions allowing to create various types of terrain and landscapes which look and feel real.

Another great aspect is the weather and atmospheric details that take your gaming experience to another level. May it be a run through the jungle, a speed-run through a desert storm or a ride in heavy rains, Forza Horizon 5 doesn’t fail to impress. What’s even more impressive is the way the cloud system has been designed to behave in accordance with changing weather. It truly is spectacular to experience.

Sound

Another place where Forza Horizon shines bright is the sound design, from the authentic engine sounds to the sound of rain drops, even the sound of a car tailgating you and the sound when moving through different spaces ― closed/open/covered ― the minutest of details have been designed taking into account material properties for structures such as ― metal, wood, stone, etc, to create very realistic sounds. This definitely makes the entire gaming experience much richer and enjoyable.

Gameplay

When it comes to gameplay, Forza Horizon 5 manages to find the right balance between arcade and simulation making it a fair game for both arcade racers as well as real car enthusiasts. The gameplay is not very hard but at the same time needs a certain amount of focus and skill making it a rewarding experience. For example, the car traction reduces when it rains or the roads are wet, so you need to adapt and drive accordingly just as you would in the real world.

Forza Horizon 5 is by design not a linear game wherein you need to start at the bottom and make your way to the top. You are already at the top and have a huge selection of vehicles to choose from. You can go about exploring the open-world map on your own, or participate in events to unlock more vehicles and rewards. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

Summary

Forza Horizon 5 does justice to Xbox Series X and comes as one of the first titles to truly justify the next-gen gaming tag for the console. The photorealistic graphics, the sound design, the gameplay, all of it makes Forza Horizon 5 a must-have title for anyone who owns an Xbox Series X/S. ⌧