There’s no denying that the Forza Horizon games have revolutionized how players get to enjoy car racing titles. Thanks to the franchise’s stunning graphics, great vehicle selection, outstanding map and track options, realistic driving physics, and other game mechanics, there’s always fun to be had.
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However, even when great games are made, there will always be some that are better than others, and this is the case for Forza Horizon 4 vs Forza Horizon 5—at least in a few notable aspects. While the latter is great and explores the beauty of Mexico, there are some things in its predecessor that many players agree were not improved upon. Here are some things Forza Horizon 4 does better than Forza Horizon 5.
Updated on December 22, 2024, by Gerardo Molina: When it comes to games such as those in the Forza franchise, there will always be hardcore fans who are on the lookout for every minute detail. Although many players agree that Forza Horizon 5 has overall better driving mechanics, there are other aspects, including the AI, the design of the map, and even competitive matches that are regarded to have been better in Forza Horizon 4.
Although many of the concepts below will depend on players’ preferences, some elements are agreed upon by many without too much debate. Here are some of the things that make Forza Horizon 4 better than its sequel.
6
The AI System
AI Was Fairer And Less Erratic
- Forza Horizon 4‘s AI system was more reliable
- Some players complain Forza Horizon 5‘s AI can sometimes be unfair
One of the most important aspects of any racing game is being able to compete against others, whether it is other players or AI. While the fairness of competing against other players depends on many factors, such as skill and a good internet connection, this isn’t the case for AI.
Like other racing games, Forza Horizon 5 has rubber banding, which, in a nutshell, is a game mechanic that does not allow players to get too far from the AI drivers. This keeps the races more consistent and makes players feel like they’re always one mistake away from being overtaken by the competition. However, many players have complained that sometimes the AI drivers are too good and occasionally win for several seconds, which isn’t likely. This, apparently, didn’t happen as much in Forza Horizon 4.
5
The Weather System
Great Britain’s Ever-Changing Weather Feels More Interesting
- Forza Horizon 4 has a more complex weather system
- Mexico’s pleasant weather makes for more stable seasons and simpler driving
One of the most common comments about the differences between Forza Horizon 4 and Forza Horizon 5, is that the weather system feels a lot more complex and complete in the former. This isn’t due to a lack of attention to detail from developers or a mistake that was left carelessly, but rather to the natural conditions of each game’s setting.
While Mexico has diverse and colorful landscapes, cities, and towns, it also has very stable weather year-round. Sure, there might be rain here and there, but the overall weather conditions of the country are almost always pleasant and warm. Compared to Forza Horizon 4‘s Great Britain, which gets a lot more rain — and about 24 days of snow or sleet per year on average — there’s a lot more to work with in terms of season variety and the weather players have to drive in.
4
Customization Options
Dozens Of Different Options To Change Players’ Vehicles
- Forza Horizon 4 has more customization options
- The game has a certain European approach to showcasing cars traversing Great Britain’s countryside
Forza Horizon 4 has, arguably, more customization options to offer players than its successor. This isn’t only limited to cars, but also races and other events within the game. Game modes like Blueprint allow players to create their own unique events by selecting the weather, time of day, and routes of their choosing. It could also be said that, while Forza Horizon 5 has great cars for performing jumps and racing through the Mexican countryside, its predecessor has a wider offering for players who are fans of vehicles with a distinctive European flavor — perfect for exploring Great Britain.
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All in all, while Forza Horizon 5 is very fun, and exploring the beautiful Mexican cities and natural reserves is exciting, Forza Horizon 4 offers better customization options for a more complete experience in general.
3
The Progression System
It Went From Comfortably Simple To Complex And Disjointed
- Forza Horizon 5 features a more complex progression system than its predecessor
- Despite its complexity, elements like Rally Adventure work really well to spice up Forza Horizon‘s 5 gameplay,
While there’s nothing wrong with a little complexity here and there, the differences in the progression system between Forza Horizon 4 and Forza Horizon 5 are quite palpable and have not always been well-received by fans of the franchise. The former allowed players to choose their path through different racing disciplines and events while offering clear goals that were not overwhelming.
On the other hand, while things like Rally Adventure give Forza Horizon 5 variety, the progression system feels a bit disjointed and more complex — and not necessarily in a good way. While requiring players’ intuition to make their way through a game isn’t a bad thing and is usually quite welcome in other genres, it doesn’t seem to be the case in a racing game like this. Overall, while both games have great progression systems and offer an enjoyable experience, Forza Horizon 4 is, arguably, the better option.
2
The Multiplayer Experience
Competitive Racing Felt More Balanced
- Forza Horizon 4 ranked players more effectively
- In Forza Horizon 5, players are more likely to be matched with people who are more skilled and have better cars
Everyone loves a good challenge, but only when the rules of the game are fair and people are matched evenly according to their skills. While Forza Horizon 5 has great game modes and multiplayer that offer hours of fun, Forza Horizon 4 had better lobbies that ranked players more effectively, depending on their ranking and mastery of the game.
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While there’s still a lot of fun to be had, it’s often unfair to be matched with other players who have massively tuned their cars or have better overall rankings, resulting in newcomers being constantly defeated by more experienced players.
1
The Map’s Compactness And Simplicity
Smaller Maps Are Sometimes A Good Thing
- Mexico is beloved by many, but the map often feels too large and takes a while to explore
- Players prefer Great Britain’s map, as it’s smaller and thus offers a more compact yet complete experience
One would think that in racing games, the larger a map is, the more fun there is to be had. However, this isn’t always the case, as Forza Horizon 4 is more enjoyable than Forza Horizon 5 due to its map size. It’s estimated that the Great Britain map is about 50% smaller than its Mexican counterpart, which is substantial.
While both Forza Horizon 4 and Forza Horizon 5 have fast cars that handle very well, traveling from one side of Mexico to another takes far too long, dampening the overall experience. Granted, there are fast travel checkpoints that allow players to get from one point of the map to another without having to drive, but until players discover them, there’s a lot of driving to do. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing with a racing game, Forza Horizon 4 simply found that elusive sweet spot in terms of map size.
Moreover, there’s also the fact that the map in Forza Horizon 4 is a lot less overwhelming than the one in Forza Horizon 5. One would think that having many markers on the map that represent various things to do would be something positive, as there’s no shortage of activities and challenges to take on. However, opening the Forza Horizon 5 map can sometimes feel too overwhelming, leading to confusing routes and missed exits. In a nutshell, having things to do is great, but when there are too many, it can be a recipe for stress and confusion.
