Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 4: Review of the legendary game + How to play for free

In the world of open-world racing games, few titles have managed to capture the excitement and freedom of the genre quite like the Forza Horizon series. With the recent release of Forza Horizon 5, players are treated to an expansive and visually stunning experience set in the vibrant landscapes of Mexico. This installment elevates the series with its diverse environments, enhanced graphics, and engaging gameplay. However, Forza Horizon 4 remains a beloved classic, offering its own unique charm and innovative features.

If you’re eager to dive into these racing adventures without spending a dime, there are straightforward ways to access both Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 4 for free on Steam. Through our platform, you can utilize shared Steam accounts pre-loaded with these games, allowing you to experience the thrill of high-speed racing without the commitment of a purchase. Join us as we explore the features, highlights, and ways to enjoy these incredible games!

Subscribe to the Shared Steam Accounts VP Telegram channel to play Forza Horizon 5 for free!

Forza Horizon 5 Review

Forza Horizon 5 has arrived, and it’s clear that it raises the bar for open-world racing in exciting new ways. The game features an expansive map set in Mexico, which is not only larger but also more diverse than any previous installment. The Horizon Festival has undergone a refreshing change, gradually expanding with unique events that showcase the best of what this game has to offer. The tools for creating custom events have also been improved, allowing players to design experiences that feel incredibly authentic.

Visually, the game is stunning. The lighting, tire smoke, and dust effects have all seen a significant upgrade. There are countless new custom parts, rims, and performance mods available, giving each car more personality than ever before. The sound design is notably better, and the handling feels sharper, offering players more control. With a wealth of online activities, it’s hard not to be impressed.

To understand just how monumental Forza Horizon 5 is, it helps to look back at Forza Horizon 4. Released in 2018, it was a huge leap forward for the series. Playground Games took what was already fantastic and added dynamic seasons, a revamped multiplayer experience, and new storytelling approaches. But they didn’t stop there. Over three years, they packed in even more content, like the Festival Playlist with fresh weekly activities and The Eliminator, which cleverly introduced battle royale mechanics into racing. Plus, there was Super7, letting players create and share their own challenges.

Forza Horizon 5: A Journey Through Mexico

In Forza Horizon 5, Mexico feels incredibly vast—perhaps even more so than Playground’s impressive portrayal of Australia back in 2016. Picture yourself driving through Baja, where sun-drenched roads curve along the coast, seamlessly shifting from dry desert to sandy beaches. Then there’s the rich jungle, with muddy paths weaving through ancient ruins, deserted airstrips, and thick greenery. The vibrant city of Guanajuato enchants with its colorful architecture and winding cobblestone streets. In stark contrast, a tranquil coastal town lies nestled between the ocean and mangroves. You can explore lush green farmlands dotted with crops and swaying grasses, or marvel at a stunning gorge that feels like it belongs in an old Western film. The semi-arid desert features towering cacti and resilient shrubs, leading up to Gran Caldera, an impressive volcanic peak. And let’s not overlook the massive stadium, perfect for some soccer fun!

While it’s not an exact replica of reality, the game takes creative liberties to blend together a stylized vision of Mexico’s most captivating features. The result is a fantastic map that stands out as the largest in the series by a significant margin.

1. Expansive Landscape: Mexico’s vastness surpasses previous game settings.
2. Diverse Environments: Features deserts, jungles, vibrant cities, and tranquil coastal towns.
3. Largest Map: The biggest map in the Horizon series, offering extensive exploration.
4. Gran Caldera Volcano: The highest point in the game, perfect for thrilling drives.
5. Immersive Experience: Creates a sense of scale, making players feel small in its breathtaking world.

To truly grasp the scale of it all, head to the summit of Gran Caldera Volcano. Playground Games has pointed out that it’s the highest point in any Horizon game, and you can easily see for yourself—just drive up and witness how it overshadows both Blizzard Mountain and Fortune Island from earlier titles. The dramatic elevation change offers one of the most thrilling drives in the series, with a winding mountain road that’s sure to become a favorite for drifting fans. One of the things I love about Horizon 5 is how it makes you feel small in this vast, breathtaking world, and it does that exceptionally well.

Forza Horizon 5: A Visual Marvel

The draw distance in Horizon 5 is truly impressive. The garage matches the grandeur of the expansive map, boasting over 500 vehicles. This selection easily surpasses that of any other open-world racing game. While there aren’t a ton of brand-new cars for long-time fans, Playground Games has added a variety of new rim options and visual upgrades to breathe fresh life into familiar models. The livery editor has also seen enhancements, supporting higher-resolution designs and graphics, though it’s still unfortunate that decals can’t be placed on glass.

When it comes to visuals, Horizon 5 shines brilliantly. The game offers stunning graphics regardless of the chosen quality or performance settings. Personally, I’ve been enjoying the quality mode, which maintains a flawless frame rate in all situations. Interestingly, the visual differences in performance mode are so subtle that I often need to examine freeze frames to notice them. It’s hard to pick a favorite visual feature, but the improved smoke and dust effects stand out, especially in how light plays with the particles in the air. It’s simply breathtaking.

Open-World Racing Dream

While the stunning graphics of Forza Horizon 5 certainly steal the spotlight, there are countless other enhancements to the Horizon experience that deserve recognition. The handling has undergone significant improvements, featuring more realistic ABS braking, a sharper steering response, and refined suspension that creates a more authentic off-road feel. The revamped audio is exceptional, with a remarkable variety of engine sounds that make each car feel unique. I particularly enjoy how I can hear the differences in sound as I tweak my performance parts in real-time—it’s a fun, nerdy aspect that’s made even better by the ability to rev the engine while making upgrades.

Exciting Enhancements to the Horizon Formula

There are so many improvements to the Horizon experience that it’s tough to know where to start. Even before its official launch, the new event-building tools have already led to some impressive and creative courses, races, and activities being shared among early players. With a much wider selection of props and more detailed options than what we saw in Horizon 4, I’m looking forward to seeing some truly amazing user-generated content in Horizon 5.

The career mode has also been reimagined, introducing a new points system that lets you decide which event hubs and special races to unlock first. These points, known as “Accolades,” are awarded for completing various challenges, functioning as a much-expanded version of the Brick Challenges from the LEGO expansion in Horizon 4. This system has allowed Playground to add some curated drives called Expeditions, which bring a taste of the series’ iconic opening drive montages back into the main career mode.

• Improved Event-Building Tools: Enhanced features for creating and sharing user-generated content with a wider selection of props.
• Reimagined Career Mode: New points system, “Accolades,” allows players to choose which event hubs and races to unlock first.
• Curated Drives: Introduction of Expeditions, reminiscent of iconic opening drive montages from previous titles.
• Memorable Experiences: Expeditions carefully manage vehicles, lighting, and weather for unique racing scenarios.
• Dynamic Challenges: Engaging events like racing through lightning-struck trees and navigating a rumbling volcano.

These Expeditions create memorable experiences by carefully managing the vehicles, lighting, and weather conditions. For instance, one race has you weaving through trees as lightning strikes nearby, while another takes you racing up and down a rumbling volcano, with jets of steam bursting from the ground around you.

Thrilling Expeditions and Enhanced Multiplayer

One of the Expeditions takes you racing through trees as lightning strikes the ground ahead, creating an exhilarating atmosphere. There have also been notable enhancements to the multiplayer experience. Playground has moved away from ranked play, opting for a more relaxed approach that doesn’t penalize you for others’ poor racing habits. In Horizon 5, the PvP modes are now grouped together, welcoming new players as championships progress. This means we’re less likely to find ourselves stuck in dwindling groups with frustrated racers, as seen in Horizon 4.

The hourly Forzathon Live events from Horizon 4 have been replaced by the new Horizon Arcade. While it operates similarly—co-op events where everyone works toward a common goal—it offers a wider variety of challenges. These events can be quite entertaining, especially when dozens of piñatas are falling from the sky. However, I do find that they can sometimes drag on a bit when they stretch to the full 10 minutes.

A Rich and Engaging Racing Experience

Horizon Arcade operates in a way that’s similar to Forzathon Live, but it brings a wider variety of events to the table. Then there are the little touches that truly enhance the experience. The car collection display has been revamped for better usability, allowing you to quickly purchase multiple vehicles for your garage without the hassle of navigating through dealership menus. There’s also a fun activity where you can hide cars from your garage for other players to discover in barns scattered around the map. Plus, you can finally toggle between metric measurements while keeping horsepower for power specs (because, really, kilowatts are more suited for vacuum cleaners).

Forza Horizon 5 is a treasure trove for car enthusiasts, offering endless opportunities to collect, tinker, and experiment. At the same time, it’s incredibly accessible, catering to everyone from dedicated fans to casual players—regardless of their driving skills or mechanical know-how. It’s a charming and heartfelt tribute to Mexico’s vibrant culture, capturing the joy of road-tripping through stunning landscapes.

1. Horizon Arcade: Similar to Forzathon Live, but offers a wider variety of events.
2. Revamped Car Collection Display: Enhanced usability for quick vehicle purchases without tedious navigation.
3. Fun Discovery Activity: Players can hide cars in barns for others to find around the map.
4. Measurement Options: Ability to toggle between metric measurements while keeping horsepower for power specs.
5. Accessible for All: Caters to car enthusiasts and casual players alike, providing endless opportunities for exploration and enjoyment.

This expansive, MMO-inspired racer is packed with more races, activities, and events than you could possibly explore in one sitting, yet it never feels overwhelming. You’re free to engage with it on your own terms, and it consistently rewards you, no matter how you choose to play. The visuals are stunning, the audio is fantastic, and the gameplay is a joy. In the end, Forza Horizon 5 is a masterclass from a studio at the height of its craft—truly the best open-world racing game I’ve ever experienced.

Forza Horizon 4 Review

Forza Horizon 4 builds on everything that made its predecessor, Forza Horizon 3, a standout in the racing genre, creating an experience that keeps you coming back for more. The game showcases stunning visuals, exceptional sound design, a vast selection of vehicles, and a highly customizable career mode—elements that have become synonymous with the Horizon series. What sets this installment apart is how effectively it encourages players to keep returning, thanks to its dynamic seasons, regularly updated challenges, and a steady flow of rewards. Every week in real-time, the in-game season shifts, transforming the landscape and introducing new, season-specific challenges. Daily Forzathon challenges keep things fresh, and every hour brings live online events where you can team up with up to 11 other players to tackle shared goals.

This is all layered on top of the traditional Horizon gameplay, featuring a plethora of races and activities across various disciplines. Whether you’re into racing, rallying, drifting, or drag racing, or even creating your own events with Horizon Blueprint, there’s never a shortage of options. With such a vast array of cars and customization possibilities, Forza Horizon 4 proves that you can enjoy a great time while also sticking around for the long haul.

A major part of this experience is the game’s design as an online, shared-world racer, where the non-traffic cars you see cruising the open world are other players. While you can still race against AI opponents, the open world is alive with fellow gamers pursuing their own adventures. It’s reminiscent of a more personal version of The Crew, but without the pressure to engage with others. You can choose to play entirely offline if you prefer, and if you happen to get disconnected, the game smartly switches between online and offline modes without missing a beat. I experienced this a couple of times, and I was pleased to find that my progress remained intact.

Embracing the Online Experience: Forza Horizon 4’s Seamless Multiplayer and Seasonal Dynamics

Even though I tend to shy away from multiplayer, I honestly found no compelling reason to step away from the online world. Features like pausing and rewinding still function seamlessly, even in online mode. Plus, when you’re exploring or participating in Forzathon Live events, other players are ghosted upon contact, meaning they can’t interfere with your cruising or stunt driving unless you team up with them in a convoy, at which point collisions become active.

Joining in on these challenges is worthwhile, too. The points you earn from completing Forzathon challenges serve as a separate in-game currency, distinct from the regular credits you accumulate through racing. These ‘Forzathon points’ can be exchanged at a special shop for rare cars and various cosmetic items, including emotes that range from nostalgic Vine memes to those quirky dances my kid does all the time. It’s reminiscent of the mileage exchange system in GT Sport. Most of these items can also be won randomly as you level up, and while I’m not usually a fan of luck-based rewards, it’s worth noting that there are no microtransactions involved and no performance upgrades locked behind these items.

Whether the assortment of emotes, avatar clothing, and novelty horns appeals to you is a matter of personal taste. Personally, I’m a bit indifferent to fashion—I could wear the same jeans and hoodie for years! However, the victory dances reminiscent of GTA Online are undeniably charming.

• Seamless Online Functionality: Pausing and rewinding work smoothly in multiplayer mode.
• Ghosted Players: Other players are ghosted during exploration, preventing interference unless in a convoy.
• Forzathon Points: Earn points from challenges, serving as a separate currency for rare cars and cosmetic items.
• No Microtransactions: All rewards are achievable without spending real money, with no performance upgrades locked behind items.
• Dynamic Seasons: Experience all four seasons, shifting weekly after the prologue, with impressive environmental details.

You’ll get a taste of all four seasons during the four- to five-hour introductory phase, but once you complete the prologue’s first “year,” the seasons will shift weekly, whether you’re playing online or offline. Autumn has been the focus for most of this review, and it might just be my favorite season. The level of detail is impressive, from the vibrant colors of the trees as their leaves change to the puddles that linger on the roads as the weather cools.

Winter is also fantastic; if you’ve experienced Forza Horizon 3: Blizzard Mountain, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. It’s not just a white landscape; the environment transforms into something entirely new.

Exploring the Beauty of Forza Horizon 4

Edinburgh shines as the centerpiece of the map in Forza Horizon 4, far surpassing the beauty of Surfers Paradise from Horizon 3. It’s a stunning city that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring. On my PC, I selected the default Quality mode, which delivers native 4K resolution, HDR, and a smooth 120fps. This frame rate has worked well for me in previous Horizon titles, but there’s also a “Performance” mode that boosts the frame rate to 60 while dropping the resolution to 1080p, still with HDR. The lighting during dawn and dusk is particularly breathtaking, making these times perfect for leisurely drives. While the environmental shifts in Horizon 4 aren’t as extreme as in Horizon 3’s Australia, the varied elevation adds a new layer of excitement to driving. The winding roads over hills make for a more dynamic experience, and the variety of road types—from wide modern highways to narrow, centuries-old alleys—creates interesting driving scenarios.

The car roster in Horizon 4 is the most extensive and diverse the series has seen. It features everything from the tiny 59-kilogram Peel P50 microcar to the impressively large Unimog, which, while fun, can sometimes cause issues with the chase camera when navigating under structures. As a car enthusiast, I especially appreciate the British barn finds, showcasing a well-rounded selection of British automotive culture. While Mitsubishi seems to be taking a break from the series for now, there are still 450 cars from over 100 different manufacturers to choose from. Cars with special body kits and unique accessories are conveniently organized in their own tab for those looking to customize their rides. Horizon 4 also incorporates new tuning options from Forza Motorsport 7, including drift suspension and drag tires. A new track width option is available for certain vehicles, which I’ve tried on some of the classics, like the A9X Torana, giving it a more race-ready appearance.

Showcases return and are among the best in the series. The Halo showcase is sure to win fans over, but I particularly love the challenge against the delta wing bomber, which is impressive and visually stunning as it flies close to the ground. While Bucket List challenges have been replaced with Horizon Stories, the essence remains the same, just wrapped in a fresh context. One storyline lets you step into the shoes of a movie stunt driver, while another features a YouTuber sharing her top racing games. This latter story cleverly nods to classics like Ridge Racer and Test Drive, paying homage to the inspirations behind the Forza Horizon series. I do miss the old Bucket List format a bit, especially the thrill of discovering random cars in the world and completing friends’ custom challenges. However, Horizon Blueprint is back, allowing you to create races in any season or at any time of day. This feature lets you experience seasons that may not be available in the main game for weeks. You can also access Blueprint from the pause menu for on-demand custom races, though a route creator is still on the way.

Forza Horizon 5 System Requirements

Before hitting the open roads of Forza Horizon 5, it’s essential to ensure your PC is equipped to handle the vibrant and dynamic world of Mexico. With its stunning visuals and expansive environments, having the right hardware will significantly enhance your racing experience. While the game can be played on older systems at lower settings, modern specifications are recommended to truly appreciate the breathtaking landscapes and details.

Minimum Requirements

To experience Forza Horizon 5 at basic graphics settings, your system should meet the following specifications:

This configuration allows you to enjoy the game at minimal settings, though you may experience reduced texture quality and effects.

Recommended Requirements

For the best experience and to immerse yourself fully in the thrilling world of Forza Horizon 5, we recommend the following specifications:

Meeting these recommended specifications will ensure smooth gameplay, maximum graphics settings, and an exhilarating driving experience. Checking your system requirements beforehand will help you avoid technical hiccups and allow you to fully enjoy the breathtaking beauty and excitement of Forza Horizon 5. For optimal performance, aiming for the recommended specifications is highly advisable.

How to Play Forza Horizon 5 for Free on Steam

If you’re eager to experience the thrilling world of Forza Horizon 5 but aren’t ready to commit to a purchase, there are a few easy ways to access the game for free through our platform. We offer shared Steam accounts that have Forza Horizon 5 pre-installed via our Shared Steam service.

Method 1: Register on the VpeSports Website

To get started with this method, follow these steps:

1. Visit the VpeSports website and create an account.
2. Log in to your newly created account.
3. Navigate to the Shared Steam section.
4. Locate Forza Horizon 5 in the list and proceed to the game review page.
5. Click the Download button to access the complete guide on how to gain entry.
6. Leave a positive comment under the game review, sharing your thoughts on our review and the game itself.

Important:

• Comments are subject to moderation. If your comment isn’t approved, try rewriting it to adhere to the guidelines.
• Once your comment is approved, our moderators will send the account details with the game to the email you used during registration.

Method 2: Subscribe to the Telegram Channel

Another way to gain access is by subscribing to our Telegram channel, Shared Steam Accounts VP:

1. Find our Telegram channel and subscribe.
2. Through the channel, you’ll be able to access an account with Forza Horizon 5 for free play.

This method is perfect for those seeking quick access and wanting to stay updated on news about patches and new games.

If you encounter any issues, a comprehensive guide is available on our website at the following link: How to Play for Free – Detailed Instructions!