Playground Games has revealed the PlayStation 5 launch date for its award-winning game Forza Horizon 5. The latest installment in the open world racing game franchise will debut on Sony’s console on April 29, although owners of the Premium Edition will be able to start roaming the Mexican country roads from April 25. Playground Games also revealed the technical details of this version, including the planned improvements for the PlayStation 5 Pro console:
Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 features two rendering modes to choose from: Performance (60fps) and Quality (30fps). On PS5 Pro, the Performance mode receives increased visual fidelity, while Quality mode adds ray traced car reflections to Races and Free Roam.
The launch on PlayStation 5 coincides with a major update called Horizon Realms, which will be available on all platforms. This new feature aims to let players immerse themselves in the history of the game’s Evolving World updates. In Horizon Realms, players will get to explore twelve Evolving World locations: eleven of the best previously limited-time locations and the first-ever Stadium Track.
- Stunt Park
- Ice Rink
- Oval Track
- Summer Party
- Neon Airstrip
- Día de Muertos
- Winter Wonderland
- Lunar Drift Arena
- Retrowave Highway
- Cars and Coffee
- Stadium Maze
Collecting new Horizon Realms exclusive awards will unlock four new Horizon Reward Cars:
- 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto
- 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato
- 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430
- 2022 Hennessey Mammoth 6×6
Playground has discussed two ways to experience Horizon Realms. In Skill Mode, the Forza Horizon 5 user picks one of the Realms to enter and try to get as many Skill Scores as possible. Each Evolving World will have its own Skill Score Leaderboard, and there will also be an overall Skill Score Leaderboard that adds up all the points you have banked on each Realm. Earning enough Skill Score will also unlock new player badges unique to Horizon Realms.
In Free Mode, leaderboards are cast aside to focus on the fun factor. having fun on their favourite realms. Players can drive solo or with friends, earn badges tied to previous content updates, and unlock accolades to earn #Forzathon points.
As a side note, it’s possible April will be a month to remember for PlayStation 5 users when it comes to Microsoft game releases. According to The Verge’s Tom Warren, MachineGames is aiming to launch the PS5 version of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in April, though that might still change.
