The game
Forza Horizon 5 uses an open-world festival to connect different kinds of driving. A route to an event can be part of the pleasure, with the landscape providing reasons to explore between races. It suits players who want a broad menu of activities rather than a single disciplined championship ladder.
The rhythm
Assists and difficulty options help you find a useful level of challenge. Learning one car on a familiar route gives clearer feedback than constantly changing vehicles and settings. Events vary in surface and pace, so a favourite road setup may not suit everything. Online play adds company and competition, while solo exploration leaves more control over the evening.
Why it stays with you
Our assessment values accessible driving and the range of ways to spend a visit. The busy map and numerous rewards can also distract from simply enjoying a route. Paid additions need to be considered separately from the base experience. Choose it for variety and freedom behind the wheel, not because owning every vehicle has become the goal.
What it asks of you
Your time
Plan around 20–60 minutes. This is our estimate, not a completion time. Save or finish at a natural stopping point rather than starting another task automatically.
Your money
One-time purchase; optional expansions, car packs and edition upgrades. Check edition contents and platform compatibility before buying.
Playing responsibly →The strengths
- Flexible driving assists
- Varied roads and activities
- Enjoyable exploration between events
The trade-offs
- A busy map can overwhelm
- Extra content makes edition choices less simple
THE VERDICT
Take the long way round.
For drivers who want an open road and a choice of racing styles.
A desk-based editorial assessment, not a user score or a claim of hands-on testing. The artwork is an generated concept illustration, not a screenshot.
Official reference points
Product information checked 26 September 2026. Availability and edition contents can change.