Well, pinch us, because we never thought we’d write this headline. Forza Horizon 5, arguably the reigning king of open-world arcade racing and a flagship Xbox franchise for years, is playable on PlayStation 5! The Horizon Realms open up for exploration too.
This unprecedented arrival comes via 4-day early access granted to players purchasing the Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition (£84.99) on the PlayStation Store.
Yes, you read that correctly. One of Xbox’s crown jewels has crossed the divide. While the Deluxe Edition (£69.99) and Standard Edition (£54.99) follow on April 29th, early adopters on PS5 can hit the vibrant streets of Mexico starting today.
Why This Matters: A Quick Recap of Forza Horizon 5’s Legacy
Let’s not mince words: Forza Horizon 5 is a phenomenon. When it launched on Xbox and PC, it redefined expectations for open-world racing. We were utterly blown away (and continue to be), awarding it a perfect 5/5 score in our original review. We gushed:
“In conclusion, play Forza Horizon 5. There has never been a better looking game, and it plays like an absolute dream. It’s full of cars, full of challenge, full of glorious visuals and played out across a world like no other. I really wish I could give it more than 5/5, but as I can’t, a perfect score will have to do.“
Its arrival on PlayStation 5 marks a significant moment in console gaming history.
Welcome to Mexico, PlayStation Fans!
For those experiencing it for the first time, Forza Horizon 5 drops you into a stunningly beautiful and diverse recreation of Mexico. Expect:
- A massive, vibrant open world begging to be explored.
- Hundreds of the world’s greatest cars to collect, customise, and drive.
- An incredible variety of races, challenges and story missions.
- Breathtaking visuals showcasing diverse biomes, from lush jungles and arid deserts to active volcanoes and pristine beaches.
- A seamless online world where you can race, drift, and explore with others.
Premium Perks for Early PS5 Adopters
Grabbing the Premium Edition (£84.99) today on PS5 not only gets you in four days early but also includes:
- 5,000 Forzathon Points (in-game currency for special shop items)
- 5 Backstage Passes (for unlocking rare cars)
- The stunning 2021 Mercedes-AMG ONE cover car
Horizon Realms: A FREE Update for ALL Players (Xbox, PC & PS5)
Coinciding with the PS5 launch, a major free update rolls out for Forza Horizon 5 across all platforms – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and the new PlayStation 5 version. Welcome to Horizon Realms!
This fantastic new feature allows players to revisit beloved Evolving World locations that were previously only available for limited times during past Festival Playlists.
What are Horizon Realms?
- Explore Past Playlists: Access 11 curated Evolving World setups, including the Stunt Park, Ice Rink, Neon Airstrip, Día de Muertos decorations, Winter Wonderland, Retrowave Highway, and more!
- New Stadium Track: Discover a brand-new permanent race route built within the main Horizon Stadium, complete with its own Rivals leaderboard.
- New Accolades & Rewards: Tackle over 45 new Accolades specific to Horizon Realms (plus rediscover older ones). Completing these now rewards #Forzathon Points for the first time! Unlock 12 new player Badges.
- Unlock 4 New Cars: Complete unique challenges across the Realms to earn the 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto, 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430, and the monstrous 2022 Hennessey Mammoth 6×6.
- Two Ways to Play:Skill Mode: Compete for high scores on dedicated leaderboards for each Realm.
- Free Mode: Explore solo or with friends in a Convoy, completing Accolades and enjoying the environments without pressure.
To access Horizon Realms, head to the “Campaign” tab in the main menu or find the spatial indicator near the Stadium (requires unlocking the Festival Playlist for new players).
A New Horizon Dawns
The arrival of Forza Horizon 5 on PlayStation 5 is massive news, offering PlayStation gamers access to one of the highest-rated racing games of all time.
Combined with the fantastic new Horizon Realms update available free for everyone today, there’s never been a better time to visit Mexico, whether you’re a returning veteran on Xbox/PC or a brand new driver on PS5.
Grab the Premium Edition for early access today, or prepare for the Standard and Deluxe editions launching April 29th!
Of course, the best way (in our opinion) to play Forza Horizon 5 is via an Xbox Store download on Xbox Series X|S. It’s in Game Pass so you have zero reason to not get behind the wheel.
Next up? Surely we’ve got to see Forza Motorsport bridge the divide and go up against Gran Turismo? We can only cross fingers and hope it happens.
