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Actual measurement: “Forza Horizon 5” sets a new benchmark, Mexico rushes through the sandstorm | 4Gamers

Microsoft’s new open world racing game “Forza Horizon 5” (Forza Horizon 5) will be available on November 9. This time I have the opportunity to get the full version of the game, let’s see what’s new.

The game platform used in this test is Xbox Series X, and the image quality mode used is native 4K/30 fps playing. In addition, the performance mode can also be selected for smooth playing at native 4K/60 fps.

Figure 01 Start screen
Splash screen.

¡ Bienvenidos a México! (Welcome to Mexico)

The “Forza Motorsport: Horizon” series developed by Playground Games has always been known for its open world high-freedom racing. The predecessor “Forza Motorsport: Horizon 4” announced at the beginning of this year that it has accumulated more than 24 million players.

This time the stage of the fifth generation is set in Mexico, after the second generation, it is finally a country that drives left-handed (driving on the right) again.

Figure 02 Guanajuato Center
Guanajuato Center.

The map is 1.5 times larger than the previous one, headed by the ancient city of Guanajuato, as well as towering active volcanoes, jungles and deserts and other diverse landforms, with dynamic weather of heavy rain, thick fog or sandstorms.

Whether it is vertical height, openness or weather changes, it is the highest in the series.

Figure 03 Map
The official version of the map.

The opening design of the game is also outstanding. Different from the four generations of the four seasons, the airdrops with people and vehicles opened in four different terrain areas in Mexico, allowing players to quickly browse the features of this game and also have novice teaching.

After running, you can officially enter the game title, welcome to Mexico!

Six major carnivals, themed and convenient guides in sequence

This time the main event “Horizon Adventure” is divided into six themes, including “Main Stage”, “Road Race”, “Dirty Race”, “Off-Road Race”, “Open Stunt Race” and “Street Race”.

The concept of admission ticket stamp and sticker book is used to unlock the players, and the type of events can be opened in sequence according to their preferences. After playing, you can feel that the pressure on the advancement is less than that of the previous one, and there is also a clearer goal and motivation for advancement.

Figure 05 Horizon adventure completed
Horizon adventure stamp.

If the player concentrates only on the Carnival event, it takes about 10 hours to pass the six major themes, enter the final Hall of Fame, and achieve the most important game goal.

But even so, there are still many unsolved story challenges and events on the map to continue to play, plus the official weekly update “Carnival Game List” challenge, so that players can continue to come back to play for a long time to get rewarded new cars after clearing the level!

Figure 04 Horizon Adventure Stamp
The Horizon adventure is complete.

Multiplayer mini game, blast the Piñata

Actually experience various gameplays. This time the newly added Horizon Arcade clearance challenge mode is more interesting. This mode will occasionally appear pink areas on the map, allowing players to freely go to the flying boats that appear in the place to gather and participate, including bumping Pina. Challenges such as piñata, chaotic events, and tail flicks can all be played in this mode.

Figure 06-1 Arcade on the map (photo mode)
Arcade on the map.
Figure 06-2 Arcade on the map
Arcade on the map.

However, the pinata that actually appears in reality is a paper container used at Mexican banquets or festivals. Toys and candies will fall out if you hold a tool or break it directly.

In response to the Piñata challenge that appeared in the game, players need to defeat the special-shaped Piñatas in the area in the form of teamwork within a limited range and time.

It should be noted that there is also a trap with a penalty effect, Piñata, please remember to stay away from the cactus-shaped Piñata.

Figure 07-1 Pinata game screen
Pinata game screen.
Figure 07-2 Piñata game screen
Pinata game screen.
Figure 07-3 Pinata game screen
Pinata game screen.

As for the chaotic event mode, the system will always assign mini-tasks to players. Participants are required to achieve simple conditions such as flying over 15 meters, 160km/hr for ten seconds, and pressing the horn five times. Can bring points to the group.

Figure 07next
Chaotic event

Uninterrupted sense of reward with the new reward system

In addition to retaining the Wheelspin system of the previous game, this game also introduces the “Appreciation” rewards for various challenges, and the addition of the “Vehicle Collection” for vehicle collection rewards. It is considered to be the most playable game system in this generation. An improvement in feeling.

Figure 08 Appreciation category
Appreciate the classification.

The conditions for achieving “Appreciation” are varied. In addition to having a chance to be achieved in any event, there are also various designated behaviors achieved in the big map roaming, such as: hitting a few cacti, driving a few routes, or How much money is spent, etc., can be a condition of reward.

To put it simply, appreciation is the challenge achievement mode in the game, using various rewards to let players gain experience points, props and vehicles, so that players can continue to go further on the road of “racing”.

Figure 09 Appreciation receiving interface
Appreciate the receiving interface.

In addition, the starting lineup of “Forza Horizon 5” this time has more than 500 cars for players to collect, and a new interface “Vehicle Collection” has been added, allowing players to review the starting conditions of a certain car at any time. Make the collection process more interesting.

Figure 10 Vehicle collection interface
Vehicle collection interface.

The paint modification system is upgraded, and the engine noise is changed and tested.

Continuing the old traditions of the past, “Forza Horizon 5” also inherits the painting system of previous generations, improving the position of various tools and making it more convenient to operate.

But having said that, although the painting system has slightly changed, many functions remain traditional. Only basic geometric figures can be layered together in different drawings, and there is no way to perform further operations and fine-tuning.

Figure 11 Paint material design interface
Paint material design interface.

It doesn’t matter if you are worried about the handicapped party. In addition to providing a lot of ready-made brand LOGO materials to use, some of the designs that participated in the trial have been imported into the past to share during the actual trial. And we also tried to build a 4Gamers company car….

Figure 12 Interface of painting on car
Paint the interface on the car.

Another custom vehicle is the modification system. From the suspension system to the air kits for each part, in addition to having more choices, you can press the accelerator at any time to urge the engine to be tested while changing the car.

Figure 13-1 Parts modification interface
Parts modification interface.
Figure 13-2 2 parts modification interface
Parts modification interface.

Speaking of engine sounds, most of the vehicle engine sounds of the fifth generation have been re-recorded this time. Since these real cars have not been driven in person, the degree of reduction cannot be identified, but the sound performance is undoubtedly more realistic.

I have to talk about the special effects improvements that I really appreciate. This time the burned tire smoke has become even thicker. If you look inside the car, you can see that the tire burnt smoke is completely white in front of you.

Figure 14-1 Schematic of the smoke from tail-flicking and burning tires
Flick tire burnt smoke!

Tired of playing official events?Then build your own event

In addition to the general events in the game, there are also some special fun exhibitions. For example, there are no shortage of bridges with special vehicles such as airplanes and hovercraft. There are even opportunities to drive to trailers and carnival parades in the plot. .

Figure 15 Awkward plane
Awkward plane.

In the custom mode, in addition to retaining the Super7 challenge mode introduced in the previous generation and later, the newly added “EventLab” mode not only allows you to freely create a playground, but also creates events with various conditions. If you want to play innovative gameplay that is different from ordinary events, EventLab can be said to have unlimited possibilities.

Actually played a few custom events, some were really challenging, and some were suitable for friends to team up and have fun. This part is left for you to be creative.

Figure 16-1 EventLab event
EventLab competition.
Figure 16-2 EventLab event
EventLab competition.
Figure 16-3 EventLab event
EventLab competition.

Summary: Open world racing new benchmark, humanities and arts tourism ambassador

“Forza Motorsport: Horizon 5” inherited the advantages of the series of mechanisms, comprehensive improvements.

For the old-generation consoles, this time I used the first version of Xbox one to try to play. There is no big problem with the smoothness of the screen and the game, but for players who are used to reading in the new generation, this reading time really feels super invincible. Thunderbolt for a long time.

Figure X Xbox one play screen.png
Screenshot of Xbox One screen.
Figure X Xbox Series X play screen
Screenshot of Xbox Series X screen.

If you don’t have a computer that can run, and you haven’t bought a new console, you can actually block the Xbox One first. This game supports Smart Delivery, which will directly correspond to the game on the new host.

The overall performance on the new-generation console is excellent and stable, and the high-speed reading makes the game quite smooth. The light tracking calculation is only available in the car viewing mode (Forzavista) in the image quality mode. In this mode, the reflections on the car body will be more realistic.

Figure 17-1
Photo mode captures the moment.
Figure 17-2
Photo mode captures the moment.
Figure 17-3
Photo mode captures the moment.
Figure 17-4
Photo mode captures the moment.
Figure 17-5
Photo mode captures the moment.
Figure 17-6
Photo mode captures the moment.
Figure 17-7
Photo mode captures the moment.
Figure 17-8
Photo mode captures the moment.

If you are a series player, many familiar elements can help you get started quickly, and through various improvements, you can strongly feel the engine sound and picture improvements.

If you are a novice player who has never been in contact with the series, it doesn’t matter. You can turn on the various assists in the game or lower the difficulty, and use the reverse system to rewind. Even if you are not very good at driving, you will not have too many problems.

Secondly, after actually entering the game, players can clearly feel that this work emphasizes the “combination of local characteristics”, not only in the restoration of landmarks and terrain, but also in the game, there are many artists and cultural celebration-related designs and activities, for some players who like to experience exotic features In terms of the content of the game this time is quite sincere.

Many people should have known Mexico through film and television works, and this work can take you to know this country from a different perspective.

Although it is a pity that there is no mission to deliver the “mystery package”, after clearing the various story plots, it really makes people want to visit this country on the spot in the future.

Figure 18 Mural in the game
Mural in the game.

“Forza Horizon 5” this time the corresponding platforms are PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, players who have pre-ordered top add-on content, can play in advance on the 5th, join Xbox Game Pass on the first day of listing, and get up!

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