I can count the number of times that I’ve played a Forza title on one hand. That’s not for lack of interest in the series or the racing genre in general, and I know that Forza Horizon 4 is available on PC. It’s just that I’ve typically associated the franchise with an Xbox console – something that I haven’t had since my Xbox 360 in college.
That may soon be changing, though, as last month’s Xbox Extended Showcase (and Microsoft Flight Simulator, specifically) finally sold me on snagging an Xbox Series X for myself. There were a couple other titles that helped tip the scales toward my decision during the show besides Microsoft Flight Simulator, including Shredders – a new open-world snowboarding game – and Forza Horizon 5 – the next entry into the Forza franchise.
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However, my excitement for the popular racing title is a bit different than what you might expect.
I’m definitely looking forward to tearing through the roads of Mexico (one of my favorite places in real life), especially with the amount of work that has gone into making the scenery look absolutely stunning. However, it's the party games in Forza Horizon 5 that I’m looking forward to the most.
Called Event Lab, the mode provides tools that allow the community to create their own levels with all sorts of different elements, limited only by their own imagination. During the Xbox Extended Showcase, we were given a glimpse of what a player-built level might look like, showing off ramps, loops, bounce pads, and even bowling pins. A rules system can be put in place as well to add in a layer of competition beyond just strictly racing.
I’m a sucker for these types of party games that stray from typical genre tropes. My go-to titles at the moment are Rocket League and Fall Guys, but I can’t help but think that the player-built games in Forza Horizon 5 are going to pull me in like a moth to a flame.
What’s odd, though, is that I’m actually intrigued to create my own levels. I’m typically too impatient to create my own levels whenever a level designer is included in a game. – I can’t tell you how many custom skate parks I abandoned throughout the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series. But the promise of the Event Lab’s offerings seems like I may finally commit to creating something that other players can (hopefully) enjoy.
If you’re a new player like me, there might not be a better time to jump into the franchise with Forza Horizon 5 being the largest and most diverse Forza game to date. Add in the community-driven party games, and Forza Horizon 5 appears to be poised to be something very special.
Next: Microsoft Flight Simulator Finally Sold Me On Xbox Series X
