Highlights
- Start from player houses - choose location and rest; no need to grind for powerful cars in Forza Horizon 5.
- Max FPS for responsive racing; avoid slick tires for turns in most races. Balance speed with handling.
- Clean racing is key - follow the line, avoid speed bumps. Explore modes like The Eliminator for a unique experience.
Forza Horizon 5 was developed by Playground Games, the same studio responsible for every other Forza Horizon game thus far. Forza Horizon 5 had a fantastic launch, impressing both critically and commercially - the game currently has a Metascore of 92 on Xbox Series X and surpassed 3 million players on its official launch day.
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With Forza Horizon 5 launching on Game Pass, it's likely that many of the 3 million players will be newcomers to the Forza Horizon series. For such players, these helpful tips for the opening hours of gameplay should come in handy.
Updated on March 15, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best racing games on the market. The progression may not be balanced, but that's a small caveat in a gorgeous open-world game that is beautiful to drive around in. Players will watch the hours fly by as they try to win race after race, trying to complete as much of the Horizon Festival as possible in each play session. With more and more people getting into the game courtesy of a Steam sale, it's easy to see why beginners would want some tips to make their foray into this title as seamless as possible, and so this list has been updated with a few more entries to help those players along.
17 Find And Purchase Player Houses
Players Can Decide Which Location To Start From Whenever They Boot Up The Game
The world of Forza Horizon 5 is massive, and players will be glad to know that there are a total of seven player houses they can purchase once they have the funds to secure the property. These hubs let players take a break after numerous bouts of high-octane racing.
Of course, the biggest way that player homes help is by letting players start from a particular point on the map whenever they start the game. This may seem like a minor thing, but fast traveling in a game where players can travel at breakneck speeds already isn't all that engaging, which is why starting out in a map location that fans want to clear activities in anyway isn't the worst way to go about things.
16 Set Up The Game To Run At The Highest FPS Possible
Responsive Racing Requires Minimal Lag In Terms Of Controller Input
Racing is all about milliseconds, and the last thing any player wants is for controller input lag to leave them undone in the middle of a high-stakes race. Despite Forza Horizon 5 looking absolutely gorgeous on high settings, players with rigs that don't support such high-fidelity graphics should just bite the bullet and tone down the settings.
This increases the game's FPS and makes racing more responsive and enjoyable than it would be otherwise. Zooming through the streets of Mexico and getting a respectable position every time becomes easier if the car moves exactly when players want it to.
15 There's No Need To Grind
The Loot Creep Is Generous And Makes It Easy To Quickly Rack Up Powerful Cars
At a glance, players may feel the need to earn as many credits as possible to buy the best cars in Forza Horizon 5. This may necessitate grinding out as many valuable races and events to get the most cash possible, but the game's progression systems are actually pretty rewarding and don't really require players to go out of their way to repeat races over and over again.
There are several unique events that players will happen upon and trigger naturally over the course of the game. Along with this, players also have wheelspins and other level-up bonuses that can make progression all the more bearable as well. The end result is that most people will be spoiled for options when it comes to choosing which car to drive and what upgrades to get, among other such decisions.
14 Avoid Slick Tires
Most Races In The Game Aren't Ideal For Slick Tyres
At a glance, slick tires may seem like the best choice of tires for a car that is being modded to race at high speeds. However, players should keep in mind that the majority of races in Forza Horizon 5 have their fair share of turns, feature minor offroad segments at times, and don't really have too many stretches where players can put the pedal on the metal.
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For all three situations, slick tires are anything but ideal. Instead, players are better off using tires that prioritize both speed and handling, with the rest of the car's upgrades and tuning ensuring that it reaches the high speeds required to leave any opposing racer in the dust.
13 Clean Racing Is Important
Following The Racing Line Is The Best Way To Not Lose Speed Unnecessarily
The most important thing to keep in mind while racing in Forza Horizon 5 is to have as much of a clean race as possible. Of course, there are moments when playing dirty will allow players to retain the lead, but these instances are few and far between.
More often than not, trying to swerve around corners flamboyantly or taking out opponents will lead to a player losing so much speed that winning the race becomes impossible. For beginners, following the racing line and braking when prompted is the most optimal way to maintain high levels of speed and win the race.
12 Play The Eliminator Mode Often
A Unique Take On A Battle Royale Mode In A Racing Game
One of the most unique gameplay modes in Forza Horizon 5 has to be the battle royale mode, The Eliminator. While battle royale games as a genre have remained popular, it's arguably a bit strange seeing a racing game add a mode like this. It's a good thing they did since it's an absolute blast to play. For the uninitiated, The Eliminator tasks players with driving different upgraded cars through a small portion of the game's map. Once players come into contact with another driver, a race from point A to point B begins, with the loser being eliminated, rinse and repeat, until a victor is crowned.
It seems that The Eliminator mode doesn't quite get enough love, something that is a major bummer given how it has the ability to give players a wealth of knowledge when it comes to using different cars, navigating the map, and becoming better at racing. Be sure to hop into this battle royale mode as soon as possible since it's an absolute thrill to play.
11 Seek Out And Smash XP Boards
A Quick, Easy Way To Get Experience
Forza Horizon 5 is constantly rewarding eager drivers with XP (experience points) around each and every corner. This is a game that keeps players moving forward with a drip feed of rewards and content. Simply driving around the game world allows players to gain small portions of XP, however, this is quite minimal when compared to races, events, and the like.
Fortunately, Forza Horizon 5 encourages driving and exploring since dotted around the map are myriad XP boards. These small billboards can be smashed through and offer players a quick boost of beloved XP, something that goes toward leveling up and earning better rewards overall. Most of these are marked on the game map so be sure to keep an eye out for any and all XP boards, even if it means driving off the beaten path.
10 Drive, Drive, Drive
Players Can Rack Up Points And Discover Points Of Interest As They Move From Point A To Point B
One of the coolest aspects of Forza Horizon 5 is that players have the freedom to drive from activity to activity, exploring the vast open world around them. It all feels incredibly immersive, and players will soon fall in love with the idea of having to sprint from location to location to start events, races, and expeditions.
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In fact, players should be driving around Forza Horizon 5 whenever they get the chance. When not in a race or simply traveling to a new spot, players are gaining valuable experience training in the car of their choice, as well as learning the many winding roads sprinkled throughout the area.
9 Use The Rewind Feature
An Easy Way To Make Up For A Race-Ending Mistake
In the past, some players would find racing games frustrating, as just one mistake could often cost them the entire race - forcing them to start again from the beginning. This led to the popularization of the "Rewind" mechanic in racing games.
As the name suggests, the Rewind feature allows players to turn back time to rectify any mistakes and ensure that they don't have to start the entire race again. Understandably, some players are against using the feature as it removes much of the challenge, but it's an excellent mechanic for new players to utilize while they're still getting to grips with the gameplay.
8 Choose The Right Car
Each Event Requires Cars That Are Specially Suited For Said Races
One of the most entertaining aspects of Forza Horizon 5 is its open world that features a wide array of different track types, roads, and locations. Players won't just be racing along pre-made tracks, they'll be thrust into an array of different sprints and circuits that weave through cities, across open highways, and even up winding mountains.
Because of this, it's important for players to have an array of cars at their disposal, as one vehicle type won't be suitable for all the terrain in Forza Horizon 5. Having access to an off-road vehicle can help players conquer dirt roads, while a car tuned for handling can beat the competition on a twisting mountain highway.
7 Don't Just Focus On Speed When Selecting Cars
Different Events Require Cars That Are Stronger In Certain Departments
Purchasing a new car is one of the most exciting features of Forza Horizon 5, as it gives players the chance to upgrade from their current vehicle, giving them a better chance at winning races.
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Considering that most of the challenges in Forza Horizon 5 relate to speed, it's common for new players to ignore every aspect of a vehicle aside from how fast it'll go. Instead of doing this, players should prioritize well-rounded vehicles, as their improved handling and drifting will often save the player even more time than a slight increase in speed.
6 Keep Tweaking And Testing The Settings
Customization Is Key To Figuring Out How To Bring Out The Very Best In A Car
Those who are new to Forza Horizon 5 will be happy to know that there is a wide range of options available that are designed to help beginners. During the opening hours, players should frequently check and adjust these settings. It may get tedious, but it will be very beneficial in the long term.
Once players have found their ideal settings, it will be easier to make adjustments further down the line. Moreover, the game sometimes suggests that settings should be adjusted after some time, making for a more seamless experience.
5 Practice With New Cars Before Racing Them
It's Easy To Get Lost In The Allure Of A New Car Before Checking Its Strengths And Weaknesses
Forza Horizon 5 has a multitude of cars for players to race, each with its own unique look and feel to match its real-life counterpart. Consequently, it can be quite jarring to switch vehicles, particularly if the player has been using the same car for multiple hours.
Therefore, when picking up a new car, players should give it a test drive across the beautiful open world first to get a good sense of how it controls before diving into competitive races.
4 Tune Cars, But Only If You Know What You're Doing
This Aspect Of Car Customization Is For Advanced Players, And Others Should Just Leave It Alone
Forza Horizon 5 offers excellent depth to its customizability, particularly with vehicles. Players can customize a wide range of aspects to ensure that their vehicle is perfectly tuned for whatever biome or road they're about to race on, giving them a great advantage.
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This seemingly difficult Achievement can actually be easily unlocked by taking advantage of Forza Horizon 5's Eventlab feature.
Although tuning cars is great, players should avoid it if they're unsure what they're doing. Thankfully, there is an alternative available to those who aren't too knowledgeable about cars, as the game offers a range of pre-built options titled Suggested Tunes.
3 Enable The Full Driving Line To Begin With
It's The Safest Way To Get Around, Barring A Few Instances Where Following The Line Isn't Beneficial
As mentioned before, Forza Horizon 5 offers a wide range of mechanics that intend to make the game as accessible as possible for new players. Along with the aforementioned Rewind feature, the Full Driving Line is one of the best.
The Full Driving Line is a never-ending series of arrows that guide the player to their goal. The Full Driving Line isn't just a standard waypoint, however, as it shows the player the fastest route for taking corners while also telling them when to slow down and brake.
2 Seek Out Hidden Barns
A Great Way To Find Retro Cars That Drive Like A Dream
One of the most enthralling aspects of Forza Horizon 5 is locating a barn and collecting the legendary classic car hiding inside of it. There are a wide array of these barns scattered throughout the Forza Horizon 5 map, and there are quite a few strange (and powerful) cars to be discovered.
Thankfully, Forza Horizon 5 offers a new and engaging way for players to explore and locate barns, by use of a handy Drone system that can be deployed and flown around. Players should keep in mind that some Barn Finds are only opened after they complete certain events or expeditions. Finding these barns can be a great way to get some powerful cars without spending a ton of cash, especially in the early game.
1 Don't Buy Cars Initially
Wheelspins And Other Avenues Of Obtaining Cars Are Plentiful, Especially In The Early Game
As mentioned before, unlocking a new car can be one of the most exciting moments in Forza Horizon 5. Consequently, many new players will likely start buying new cars as soon as possible.
This isn't a great idea in the opening hours, however, as players will start the game with a solid range of vehicles and will also unlock new cars sporadically through Wheelspins, loyalty bonuses, and more. So, instead of splashing the cash in the early hours when it's in short supply, focus on earning cars through other means while saving credits for later.
Forza Horizon 5
- Platform(s)
- PC , Xbox One , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X
- Released
- November 9, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Playground Games
- Genre(s)
- Racing
