Here’s What The Critics Are Saying About Forza Horizon 5
Image: Playground Games

Xbox’s arguably first major first-party game of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S generation is upon us, as Forza Horizon 5 is finally making its way to our systems, with early access beginning as soon as this Friday.

Five entries later, you’d be forgiven for thinking the series may be running out of steam, but what do the critics think?

Let’s take a look at the scores, including our own review of Forza Horizon 5:

Pure Xbox (8/10)

"Forza Horizon 5 is an amazing game, don’t get us wrong – if you’re a newcomer to the series you’ll likely have a blast, assuming you like car games. Returning fans though can expect a similar experience to past entries. For some, that’s where driver fatigue may very well set in. After five games, at this point, you could argue the series is no longer doing enough to protect its crown as the top open-world racer. It’s the same process of going to a festival, unlocking cars, racing a lot, levelling up and repeating the whole cycle."

IGN (10/10)

"Forza Horizon 5 is a deep and nuanced car nirvana for revheads and auto geeks to endlessly collect, tinker, and experiment. It’s also an extremely accessible buffet of racing spectacle open to everyone, from Deluxe Edition diehards to Game Pass nomads – no matter their driving skill or mechanical knowledge. It’s an occasionally goofy but always earnest Valentine to Mexico’s world-famous culture, and a romantic ode to the magic of road-tripping through postcard-perfect vacation vistas."

GamesRadar (5/5)

"The expansive new setting of Mexico really does have so much to offer, and longtime players and newcomers alike are sure to have a blast discovering everything you can get stuck into. I've lost count of the number of races I sped my way through that I immediately wanted to experience all over again. As another fantastic entry in what is already a very strong series, Playground Games delivers impeccably detailed graphics, stellar audio design, and smooth controls that all work together to make Forza Horizon 5 an utter joy to play."

Windows Central (5/5)

"I went into my Forza Horizon 5 preview concerned that the upcoming title couldn't live up to my lofty expectations, but left even more excited than before. Now, after an extended amount of time with the full game and hours of playtime under my belt, I can comfortably claim that Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best games of 2021, and another colossal victory for the growing Xbox Game Studios family."

Game Informer (9.5/10)

"At every turn, Forza Horizon 5 impresses in ways few games have. From the first mile, I was on the edge of my seat. With so much to do in such a relentlessly gorgeous world, I suspect it won’t be long before I get the itch to jump back into the driver’s seat of my favorite car. Even amidst a competitive racing field, Forza Horizon 5 is a finely tuned supercar."

GameSpot (9/10)

"Forza Horizon 5 is another meaningful evolution of the series as opposed to a reinvention, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a case of more of the same. Even when it is familiar, Forza Horizon 5 makes small, but thoughtful changes to its established blueprint that hones in on the people behind the cars in a way that the franchise has previously just glossed over. It's not going to convince you to give it a go if Forza Horizon's brand of racing hasn't done it for you in the past, but Forza Horizon 5 still stands head and shoulders above anything else in the genre."

The Guardian (4/5)

"Despite the change of setting from idealised Britain to idealised Mexico, it feels almost identical to 2018’s Forza Horizon 4, and has the same overwhelming maximalist tendencies."

"You could spend months in Forza Horizon 5 on a coast-to-coast trip, or dip in for a few days to see the sights and admire the sunsets. The vast array of fun on offer means that whatever you do, wherever you end up, you’ll have a very good time.

VideoGamer (8/10)

"It may well be more of the same, but Mexico beckons, ravishing the eye and devouring up the miles. Besides, it offers us—as they all do, true to their name—the thrilling prospect of looking ahead, not so much to the next game as to its first ten minutes. The wait starts here."

Well, that's definitely some immense praise. There isn't a negative view in sight and the game is currently sitting on a Metacritic score of 91 for Xbox Series X, making it one of 2021's highest-rated games across all platforms.

Forza Horizon 5 can't arrive soon enough.

Are you happy with the review scores for Forza Horizon 5? Let us know in the comments below.