The Forza Horizon series has rapidly established itself as one of the top open-world racing franchises, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. The gameplay is exhilarating, the cars exude realism, the open-world locations are enjoyable to explore, and it delivers everything players would expect from a game of this genre. The studio consistently raises the bar with each new installment, and Forza Horizon 5 may just surpass them all. However, what truly makes it even more impressive is the inclusion of unique crossover content that the series is renowned for.
Since the release of Forza Horizon 2, Playground Games has incorporated crossover content into every single game. Throughout the years, some of the most iconic franchises and intellectual properties have made an appearance, with each game taking the concept a step further. Most recently, even the upcoming Barbie movie joined the lineup with an exclusive set of cars. While it could be easy to dismiss this crossover content as mere gimmicks, Playground has ensured that it adds genuine value to the overall gaming experience.
Forza Horizon Has Delivered on its Crossover Potential
The Forza Horizon crossover fun started in 2015 with Forza Horizon 2 and Fast and Furious teaming up. This free standalone crossover introduced the Forza Horizon gameplay into the world of Fast and Furious. It featured an original story involving the characters from Fast and Furious 7, and players had the opportunity to drive some of the franchise's most iconic vehicles. Although it is no longer available for purchase since 2018, it set a high standard for future Forza Horizon crossovers.
In the following installments, Forza Horizon 3 and 4, players could purchase cars from other popular franchises. The Warthog from the Halo series was added for players of Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Halo 5: Guardians. Final Fantasy 15's Regalia became available as DLC, and fans of James Bond could race in iconic cars from the films. Even Cyberpunk 2077 made an appearance in the game's open world. While these crossovers didn't quite reach the same level as the original, they were all exciting additions for fans of the respective franchises.
Forza Horizon took its gameplay to new heights with the release of Forza Horizon 3 Hot Wheels. This expansion transported players to a new location filled with exciting Hot Wheels antics. Sky-high tracks, lifelike toy vehicles, and exhilarating high-speed races awaited. It was a groundbreaking addition that revolutionized the franchise's future crossover content.
Continuing the trend, Forza Horizon 4 introduced a similar expansion pack that brought a LEGO world to life. Forza Horizon 4 LEGO Speed Racers allowed players to hop behind the wheel of giant LEGO cars and compete in unique LEGO challenges against others. Then, Forza Horizon 5 took the Hot Wheels crossover to an even grander and weirder level. Both expansions provided incredible adventures from beginning to end, leaving us eagerly anticipating what Playground Games has in store for these innovative concepts.
In addition to the crossover fun, Forza Horizon 5 has introduced two new vehicles to promote the upcoming Barbie movie. Players can now speed through the streets in Barbie's iconic Corvette and Ken's Hummer. These new vehicles seamlessly blend with the previous wacky crossovers, and fans can expect to fully enjoy them. Although not as extensive as some of the other expansions, it is still a valuable addition to this highly praised open-world racing game. Forza Horizon 5 is currently accessible on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.