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Forza Horizon 5: 5 Things You Might Not Have Known
With only a month left on the clock before Playground lift the veil on the long-awaited Forza Horizon 5, fans are beginning to grind out the hours from previous chapters and prepare for the biggest event yet. On November 9th, the next leg of the journey will launch on Xbox One, Xbox Series and PC, and according to the renowned devs, it's going to be a pretty extravagant follow-up to the acclaimed platform.
Of course, we're all well aware of the key details behind the game, such as the launch consoles, the release date, and the fact it will be on Game Pass from day one. But what might have slipped a few radars, on the other hand, are the finer points that Playground kept under wraps until the last minute. So, take from this what you will, but here are five additional points about Forza Horizon 5 that you might not have known.
5. Event Lab
For the first time in the Forza Horizon series, Playground will open up the chest of goodies and hand out out a selection of tools for you to build, shape and play a variety of hand-crafted races. That means you'll have the whole of Mexico at your disposal, to either use as an enormous concrete jungle, or simply compress into miniature circuit. And the best part is, being an online game, you'll be able to take your constructed tracks on the road with you, giving access to millions of players on the move.
On top of the usual course layout, creators can implement their own set of rules for the race, as well as spice up their tracks with a series of crash tools. So, if you're avoiding the more traditional sort of racing and want something unique — then by all means, throw in a few dozen bounce pads. Make the checkered flag a hundred bowling pins for all Playground care. Your imagination truly is your only boundary.
4. Limited Edition Controller
On top of Forza Horizon 5‘s official launch day (November 9th), Xbox will also roll out a Limited Edition controller, which is expected to feel like an actual steering wheel (according to its designers), with all the bells and whistles one would expect to see behind a next-gen pad. But what sets it aside from all the other controllers on the market, and will it be worth the asking price of $74.99? Well, take it from Microsoft's official pitch.
“Take control over all terrain with textured trigger grip, and custom bottom and side dimple grip patterns inspired by perforated style performance car steering wheels,” the description reads. “Stay on target with the new hybrid D-pad, textured grip on the triggers, bumpers and back-case.”
3. Gift Drops
If you're hoping to drop-in at the deep end of the Horizon circuit and obliterate the global roster right off the bat, then you might be disappointed. That is, unless a friend of yours has decided to kit out a top-shelf car, giftwrap it for you and leave it on your doorstep, of course. And yes, that is possible in Forza Horizon 5.
Whether it's something simple like a fresh paint job on a rusty body or a full-on kitted out and finely tuned masterpiece, players will be able to build and stash their creations in various locations around the map for other users to find. Sort of like Horizon 4 with its Hidden Barn Blueprints — only with actual players being the force behind the designs.
2. Import Liveries
One of the biggest questions that has been asked on multiple occasions is whether or not Horizon 5 will allow liveries from previous games to be imported. And the short answer to that is yes — yes you will be able to import your designs and sickening skins from Horizon 4. Of course, that's a major relief for a lot of fans, seeing as some creations often take upwards of days to string together to complete a perfect picture.
Okay, so it's nothing crazy, but it is something we're pretty excited to see being implemented in the next chapter. On one hand, it'll be great to see the new tools that hover over the next big instalment. But on the other, it'll be nice to have all of our works brought back to life on a much bigger canvas. So we're pretty grateful for that, to be honest.
1. Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition
As with most triple-A games in recent years, Forza Horizon 5 will of course have a spool of special editions to go alongside its standard physical and digital release. One of these lavish copies, of course, is the Premium Edition, which is set to include the base game, a VIP membership with four exclusive cars, additional perks, as well as two expansion packs for when they eventually become available.
But that's not all. As well as all the extra goodies that weave with the bundle, buyers will also receive access to the game four days before the official launch date (that being November 5th). So, for a towering price of $114.99, you'll be able to get your hands on the whole lot, as well as enjoy four starter days before the rest of the community dive in. Worth it? Your call.
Forza Horizon 5 launches on November 9th, 2021 on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. You can follow the updates for the game over on the official social handle here.
