Forza Horizon 5 — A Step Backwards for the Franchise
When Forza Horizon 4 was released, it felt like a milestone for open-world racing. The seasons, the dynamic world of Britain, and the perfect balance between realism and arcade fun made it one of the most beloved driving games of the generation. Unfortunately, Forza Horizon 5 fails to capture that same spark — and in many ways, it feels like a downgrade.
A Gorgeous but Empty Mexico
There’s no denying that Playground Games delivered one of the most beautiful open worlds ever created. Mexico looks stunning — the deserts, jungles, and coastlines are visually breathtaking. But once the initial wow-factor fades, you realize that the world lacks the soul and charm of the previous entry. The map feels bigger, yes, but it’s also emptier. The events blend together, and the festival atmosphere that defined Horizon 4 is strangely muted.
Repetition Over Innovation
Where Horizon 4 pushed boundaries with its seasonal changes and community integration, Horizon 5 plays it too safe. The structure is almost identical, just with more filler activities and a heavier reliance on grinding. The game tries to overwhelm you with icons and rewards, but very few of them feel meaningful. Instead of evolving, the series seems to have stagnated.
Crew: Motorfest Outshines It
Then came The Crew: Motorfest, a game that took the open-world racing formula and injected it with energy, personality, and creativity. Motorfest’s themed playlists, vehicle variety, and overall sense of adventure make Forza Horizon 5 look dull by comparison. Ubisoft Ivory Tower managed to create a racing experience that feels alive and dynamic, something Forza used to be.
The Eliminator Disaster
One of the biggest disappointments in Forza Horizon 5 is the Eliminator mode — the game’s attempt at a “battle royale” racing experience. On paper, it sounded fun and experimental. In practice, it’s clunky, unfair, and downright frustrating. The mode relies too heavily on random luck — from car drops to spawn locations — and rarely rewards skill or strategy.
Worse yet, the trophy/achievement tied to the Eliminator is one of the most poorly designed in arcade racing history. It forces players to grind through a mode that feels broken, unbalanced, and joyless. It’s not challenging in a rewarding way — it’s just tedious.
Final Thoughts
Forza Horizon 5 is not a bad game, but it’s a disappointing sequel. It looks incredible and drives smoothly, but it lacks innovation, personality, and meaningful progression. After years of near-perfect execution, Playground Games seems to have lost sight of what made Forza Horizon special.
If you want a truly exciting open-world racer in 2025, skip Mexico — head straight to The Crew: Motorfest. It’s everything Horizon 5 should have been: fresh, vibrant, and fun.