Forza Horizon 5 Should Hit PlayStation

Simply put, there's nothing quite like Forza Horizon 5 on the PlayStation 5. While other racing games come close, none match its unique blend of expansive open-world exploration and dynamic racing experience.

The Crew Motorfest comes closest, embracing the festival vibe that defines the Forza Horizon series. It's a clear nod to Horizon's successful formula, making Motorfest a strong contender in the genre.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, however, misses the mark. While Forza Horizon owes much to the original Test Drive Unlimited, Solar Crown's always-online requirement without a dedicated solo mode falls short of Horizon's seamless offline and online play introduced since Forza Horizon 2.

Need for Speed Unbound offers impressive customization, but its focus on high-speed pursuits differentiates it from Horizon's broader gameplay. It's not a direct comparison, despite some overlapping features.

Forza Horizon 5 stands alone as the premier open-world racing game, now finally available on PlayStation 5. Its expansive Mexico map, drift-friendly vehicle dynamics, and a garage boasting over 900 cars—including cult favorites—offer an unparalleled experience. PlayStation users are diving into this rich world, many for the first time, and the reaction has been exhilarating.

The influx of new players is something the team at Playground Games eagerly anticipated. "Yeah, I'm super excited," says Playground Games art director Don Arceta. "For many, this will be their first Forza Horizon game. It's thrilling to think about what our first Horizon experiences were like."

Arceta is particularly eager to see what PlayStation 5 players will create using Forza Horizon 5's Event Lab, a robust set of customization tools. "We have over 800 props now in the Event Lab, and the creativity of the community has been mind-blowing," he says. "I'm super excited to see what PlayStation 5 users will build."

"You'll actually get some pretty good Halo content too on the PlayStation, with the event lab props!"

The PlayStation 5 port, developed by Panic Button in collaboration with Turn 10 and Playground Games, is technically impeccable, matching the quality of the Xbox and PC versions. "It was a huge task to bring it to PS5," says Arceta. "Panic Button did an amazing job."

For car enthusiasts, Forza Horizon 5 is a treasure trove of unique and beloved vehicles. As a car fan, the idea of new players discovering their favorite cars in Horizon is incredibly exciting.

Lead game designer David Orton emphasizes the game's breadth. "The breadth of Horizon is quite staggering," he notes. "Players can find what they enjoy, whether it's road racing, Rivals, photography, or creating content with Event Lab. Horizon welcomes everyone and offers something for all."

"For me, a victory would be hearing players say, 'I can't believe I've never played this game before,'" says Arceta. "That surprise and engagement are what we're after."

Orton agrees, hoping new players will find a welcoming and fun home in Horizon. "Players realizing, 'Oh my goodness, how have I never played this game before? This is incredible,' is a win for us," he says. "We're excited to bring this to PlayStation and introduce a whole new cohort of players to Forza Horizon 5."

In a world where gaming communities can be tribal, the arrival of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 breaks down barriers for racing game fans. Let's hope it's just the beginning.