Top 10 things I love about Forza Horizon 5

Thanks to Forza Horizon 5 early access, I can share the top 10 improvements and new features that I am most excited about.

You know what I liked about the early Forza Horizon 5 preview? Quite a lot. For although it seems more evolutionary than revolutionary, the developers have used those three years wisely.

Not that I can give you every little detail. As I said in my Forza Horizon 5 early access impressions video (go check it out), there was a lot of content missing, not working or deliberately removed. The developer said it was not the finished game and wanted to keep most surprises under wraps.

However, I did spend way too long exploring the map, saving up for cool cars and slapping on upgrades that would make them even cooler. And so here is a list of the top 10 best new Forza Horizon 5 features and improvements.

Obviously, mild spoiler alert. So feel free to pop back on the 5^th or 9^th of November release date, depending on whether you buy the Deluxe Edition or other two versions, respectively. You could also subscribe for more racing game content.

1) Forza Horizon 5 has improved handling

Making the cars handle better in Forza Horizon 5 is my favourite change. For starters, the suspension, brake and tyre systems are all more realistic and there is more weight to each car, slowing them down and making them more natural.

The developers talked about a shift towards the sim end of the racing game spectrum and while it is not too drastic a shift, it shows. You no longer need to correct the steering as much mid-corner, braking is more intuitive and handling is more predictable and therefore easier.

2) Steering towards wheels

I am not sure if the Forza Horizon 5 developers heard our cries of anguish for better steering wheel support or maybe this is a beneficiary of the improved handling. All I know is that I had a much better time whizzing around using my Thrustmaster TS-XW, T-LCM pedals and Sparco handbrake.

It is still possible to fishtail when attempting to drift unless you are gentle with the handbrake and get more than a dab of oppo on rapidly. But for general driving it was enjoyable. It made me want to just cruise around the new Mexico map.

3) Sound upgrades sounds

Now this is a cool addition in Forza Horizon 5, especially if you love tuning cars. You can now preview the sound of your vehicle with each different part. That includes every possible engine swap, air filters, twin-turbos – and you can do it without even buying the upgrade.

Some sounds are still a bit meh, but overall Forza Horizon 5 does a better job. Engines are more accurate. You also hear more of the inside and outside of the car, adding to the immersion. A good set of headphones will help you hear the improvements.

4) Race mode

And next is race mode, which hopefully is not limited to the AMG One hypercar. However, I have not had enough time to accumulate the money to buy every crazy machine in the gameplay-restricted Forza Horizon 5 early access preview.

But I can tell you that it not only looks cool, it actually affects the top speed of the car by a considerable amount. That lovely downforce for cornering comes at a price, as it does in real life.

5) New upgrades

Not only can you hear car upgrades, there are a few new additions. Not furry dice or neons, sadly, or even the level of customisation we had in older Forza games. But there is a new drift differential, semi slick and slick race tyres and new gearboxes that give you more gear number options.

I will dive into what this stuff does when I make a Forza Horizon 5 tuning guide, following on from the one I did for Forza Horizon 4. But at least it seems like tuners will have more options.

6) Tyre smoke

Number six kind of goes hand in hand with tuning, if your aim is to make a drift machine Ken Block would be jealous of. Yes, tyre smoke looks way better in Forza Horizon 5. Good enough, I would say, to make it worth a monumentally large monthly tyre bill.

7) Accolades

Another cool feature of Forza Horizon 5 are accolades. These are challenges you can complete that give you rewards. It is yet another way for the game to make you feel good about doing whatever you want.

Honestly, this game is so positive about the ‘taking part’ that I am surprised you do not get points for having a toilet break. Not that I mind, as who doesn’t want positive reinforcement and digital rewards? Just wish they would remove the gambling overtones.

8) Car collection

Also new to Forza Horizon 5 is the Car Collection. This is different to the Autoshop as you can see everything you can buy or unlock. You can even buy directly from it and, even better, get rewarded for completing manufacturer collections.

Unlocking the Mosler MT900S, the only Mosler, gave me an item of clothing. However, it appears you will also get vehicles too. Which are always preferable to socks.

9) Streamer mode

Coming in at number nine is the Streamer mode. Good for those who stream because as much as I am enjoying the official Forza Horizon 5 soundtrack, music labels can and will file copyright claims.

Enable Streamer mode and you still get music including some drum and bass that makes you drive like even more of a lunatic. Or play it safe and crank down the music level to 0 and enjoy some classical music, acid jazz or retro house. Whatever the kids are listening to these days.

10) Barn Finds are back

And my final Forza Horizon 5 new feature that I love is the return of Barn Finds. At least, the preview featured one of them. None other than the VW Beetle, otherwise known as the Vocho in Mexico where it is a bit of a legend.

Okay, so on this particular occasion you do not have to find the barn. It is on your GPS and that magical map. Hopefully you will with other Barn Finds. But you do get to drive it back on the Alejandra flatbed truck, which apparently you cannot own but it is a drift beast.

And that is it for yet another Forza Horizon 5 video. I hope you enjoyed it. Like, subscribe and/or share if you did. The release date is the 5^th of November for the Deluxe Edition and the 9^th for the other versions.