There's nothing quite like Forza Horizon 5 on the PlayStation 5. While other games may share similarities, none match its unique blend of open-world racing and expansive content.
The Crew Motorfest comes close, embracing a festival vibe that aligns it more with Forza Horizon than its predecessors. However, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown falls short, missing the mark with its always-online requirement and lack of solo play—a feature Forza Horizon has offered since 2014. Need for Speed Unbound, while boasting superior customization, focuses more on high-speed pursuits, making it less of a direct competitor.
Forza Horizon 5 stands unrivaled with its expansive and stunning Mexico map, drift-friendly vehicle dynamics, and an extensive garage of over 900 cars, including cult favorites not found elsewhere. Now, for the first time, PlayStation 5 users can dive into this rich gaming experience.
The reaction from new players has been thrilling to observe. Playground Games' art director, Don Arceta, is excited about the influx of fresh faces to the series. "Yeah, I'm super excited," he says. "For many, this will probably be their first Forza Horizon game. It's thrilling to think about their first experiences, just as ours were."
Arceta is particularly eager to see what PlayStation 5 players will create using Forza Horizon 5's robust Event Lab customization tools. "We have over 800 props now in the Event Lab, and the creativity of the community is just mind-blowing," he adds. "I'm super excited to see what PlayStation 5 users will build."
You'll even find some impressive Halo content on PlayStation with the Event Lab props!
The PlayStation 5 port is technically flawless, matching the quality of its Xbox and PC counterparts—a remarkable achievement considering the game's size and the fact that its engine was new to PlayStation. "It was no small undertaking," says Arceta. "Panic Button, in collaboration with Turn 10 and ourselves, did an amazing job."
As a car enthusiast, I'm thrilled at the idea of new players discovering their favorite cars in Forza Horizon 5—vehicles that other racing games might not offer. Lead game designer David Orton highlights the game's vast scope, saying, "The breadth of Horizon is quite staggering. Players have the freedom to enjoy whatever they want."
Horizon welcomes everyone, offering something for every type of player. "We pride ourselves on giving players agency and freedom," Orton explains. "Whether you love road racing, track racing, photography, or creating content, Horizon has it all."
Arceta hopes for a sense of surprise and delight from new players. "A victory would be hearing, 'I can’t believe I’ve never played this game before,'" he says. "That surprise leads to engagement and a desire to learn more."
Orton agrees, anticipating the joy of players new to Horizon discovering its welcoming and fun-filled world. "Players realizing, 'Oh my goodness, how have I never played this game before?'—that's a win for us," he states. "We're excited to bring this to PlayStation and introduce a whole new audience to Forza."
While car culture and console loyalty can be tribal, Forza Horizon 5's arrival on PlayStation 5 breaks down a significant barrier for racing game fans. Here's hoping it's just the beginning.
