Easily one of the premier series in racing on video game systems, the Forza games have explored almost every type of vehicular concept possible and Forza Horizon’s unique take on the racing genre sets it apart from driving simulation-heavy games like Gran Turismo. Combining elements of the Need for Speed series with exploration, the downloadable Forza Horizon 4 is probably one of the best games out in the racing genre overall and a must-play experience for fans.
How to Download Forza Horizon 4
You can download the free Forza Horizon 4 Demo and the full game in several editions (Standard, Deluxe, and Ultimate) from the Microsoft Store. To start your download click on the link below the review.
The Game Review
Developed by Playground Games and published by Microsoft in October 2018, Forza Horizon 4 takes players through a variety of locales based on real-world locations for a road trip experience par excellence that not only features varying weather, terrain, and conditions but also hours upon hours of content to unlock.
The Forza Horizon series does a great job of combining the best of racing simulation games with what players love about other types of games like role-playing games. Players that love fast racing will not be disappointed but those that love building out cars and unlocking content in the game will find a veritable cornucopia of stuff to do in this title.
It is hard to understate just how transformative the exploration experience is for the gamer. The emphasis on driving GT style through shifting environments has always had an appeal but no game has made it quite as compelling as Forza Horizon 4.
It is hard not to be overawed by the sheer level of detail in these games. In previous titles slowing down would often reveal where the seams of the in-game world would show but this is not the case in Forza Horizon 4. Everything is lovingly crafted and given a level of detail that is both impressive and immersive.
For fans of automobiles, the team at Playground Games does not disappoint as the focus of the game, the cars, is also one of its showcases. Sporting a sleek design and graphical fidelity that would make a photograph jealous, Forza Horizon 4 does not shy away from showing off photo-real models and true-to-life stats and performance.
This primarily evidences itself in how you mod cars and how to use them in the field. There is an arcade element to the game that is often missing in “more serious” racing games but it is hard not to take this open-world game completely seriously. After all, the arcades are dead and what remains of that spirit has to find itself in other niches.
This game does a masterful job of realizing that arcade-style racing is still an awesome experience while also imbuing the game with modern content that gamers want and need.
Offline and online modes offer comparable features though some people may prefer the more lively online experience over the bot-driven offline simulation. Designed from the ground up with the racing game fan in mind, Forza Horizon 4 is the go-to title of Fall 2018 when it comes to cars and games and should offer any player an experience that lasts for months on end.
