Forza Horizon 5 tips: Activities to engage in during your initial hours

Owen S. Good is an experienced writer in the realm of video games, recognized for his in-depth reporting on sports and racing titles.

Forza Horizon 5 is set to release on November 9 for Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Windows PC. This expansive open-world racing title features the largest map in the franchise’s history, offering a wealth of activities for players to enjoy.

This beginner’s guide to Forza Horizon 5 is designed to assist you in maximizing your initial hours in the game. It will help you establish a versatile racing setup, grasp the game’s progression, gameplay mechanics, and unlockable features, as well as guide you on purchasing, painting, and customizing vehicles for both aesthetics and performance.

When will Forza Horizon 5 be released?

Visual: Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios

The Premium Edition of Forza Horizon 5, priced at $99.99, allowed purchasers to start playing early on Friday, November 5. The standard version of the game is set to be released on Tuesday, November 9, for Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Windows PC, available through the Microsoft Store and Steam.

Individuals who purchased the Deluxe or Standard edition can start pre-loading Forza Horizon 5 at this time. The game will be accessible at 12:01 a.m. local time on November 9 in your region.

Starting November 9 at 12:01 a.m. local time, Forza Horizon 5 will be accessible to all subscribers of Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Additionally, it is currently available for preload through Xbox Game Pass.

Before you begin: Verify your configurations.

You might consider toggling traction control based on your vehicle’s power. In contrast, stability control is generally best kept off, as it allows for greater control of the car, enabling you to maximize your speed when competing against more advanced AI. Image: Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios via Polygon.

Forza Horizon 5 offers a variety of display, notification, and controller configurations that allow you to customize the game to your liking, all accessible from the main menu prior to starting your adventure. If you’re using a gamepad, we suggest considering the following specific settings.

• Challenge: Steering — We prefer Simulation steering instead of Auto-Steering, Assisted, or Standard options. Having additional control is essential, especially when disabling traction and stability aids, which we also suggest.
• Difficulty: Traction Control — Disable this feature, but be aware that you might need to reactivate it when operating high-torque supercars. Traction control serves its purpose by preventing wheel spin, particularly during takeoff, but it can hinder acceleration, which is crucial when competing against tougher AI opponents.
• Difficulty: Stability Control — It’s best to keep this feature disabled. Stability control can hinder your speed and make it challenging to maintain drifts during off-road racing. As with many racing games, disabling assists is essential to fully optimize your vehicle’s performance and to compete effectively against advanced AI opponents.
• Difficulty: Damage & Tire Wear — Cosmetic-only or simulation damage does not contribute to XP gain. Instead, you’ll end up with a car that looks or drives poorly. To enjoy the game without the stress of damaging your vehicle, set this option to None. Keep in mind that your car will still accumulate dirt, appealing to those who appreciate a visual representation of their off-road adventures or rallying after a race. To clear the dirt and grime, enter photo mode by pressing down on the D-pad, then hit the Left Bumper to reset cosmetic damage and confirm the action.
• Difficulty: Rewind — Once more, disabling this feature won’t grant you any XP. It’s advisable to enable it, as it can be beneficial when attempting to perfect a jump or execute a stunt that necessitates multiple tries, or if you happen to skip a checkpoint. Additionally, Rewind can be handy if you wish to return to a specific moment to capture a stunning screenshot.
• Enhanced Controls: Steering and Acceleration Axes — These settings will allow you to optimize your gamepad responsiveness when stability and traction control are disabled. Follow the prompts on your screen to create a control stick that remains stable and doesn’t react excessively to minor movements, thereby enhancing your vehicle’s stability. For steering adjustments, increase the Steering Axis Deadzone Inside and reduce the Steering Axis Deadzone Outside. For traction control, increase the Acceleration Axis Inside and decrease the Acceleration Axis Outside. Generally, adjustments should not exceed 5 to 10 clicks in either direction. You may also modify the Deceleration Axis Inside and Outside if desired, but if you have the Braking set to Anti-Lock On in the difficulty settings, this may not be necessary.
• Video: Graphics Settings — Adjust this to Performance mode. This option emphasizes achieving 60 frames per second rather than focusing on resolution. A higher frame rate enhances your ability to perceive and react to your car’s responsiveness while you adjust the controls and vehicle configuration. This is crucial for achieving a smooth driving experience and has minimal impact on the stunning visuals of Forza Horizon 5.

You can modify all of these options in the game by pressing Start and navigating to the Settings section under the Campaign tab in the main menu.

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Evaluate your controls in the Introduction section.

Forza Horizon 5 kicks off with a classic montage showcasing a race to the festival. Players will get behind the wheel of the 2021 Ford Bronco, the 2020 Corvette Stingray Coupe, the 1989 “Desert Flyer” Porsche 911, and the 2021 Mercedes-AMG One.

These races cannot be “lost,” and you have the option to rewind to any point for any reason. Utilize these segments to familiarize yourself with how various cars perform on different surfaces. For the Bronco, aim for smooth drifting and sliding without losing control, ensuring you can execute a proper counter-steer that avoids oversteering at the end of the slide. When driving the AMG-One at very high speeds, it’s important for the car to make gentle, wide adjustments in direction instead of reacting abruptly to your commands, which could lead to a spin.

Tailor your character to your liking.

The announcers will assign you a variety of names and titles, including “Count Driftula.” Image: Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios via Polygon.

Following the introductory sequence, you’ll meet your driver. Feel free to customize their appearance to your liking. (Ignore the pushy emcee urging you to get on stage; you can mute the TV while you make your selections, if needed.) If the username linked to your Xbox account is included in Forza Horizon 5’s audio library, the game will automatically refer to you by that name. Currently, you can’t modify this name (or nickname), but you will have the option to do so in the “Your Name” section of the “My Festival” menu when you visit Horizon Central, a House, or an Outpost later on. Additionally, you can choose a personalized vanity license plate for all your vehicles, reflecting the style of the country of their origin. This plate can also be altered later on.

Take charge of your initial major event.

The cheerful large aircraft of Horizon Festival Mexico is not the sole aircraft featured in this video game. Image: Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios via Polygon.

Once you’ve personalized your character and watched the introductory cutscene, you’ll select your initial vehicle. There’s no need to stress—each of the four cars is already available in your garage and can be used later. Additionally, your first special event won’t involve racing with this car. Feel free to choose the one that catches your eye for a leisurely drive to the event’s starting point.

The inaugural event, titled “On a Wing and a Prayer,” features the 1994 Hoonigan Ford Cossie V2. This event is quite challenging to “lose,” and even if you end up in second place, it won’t affect you. You’ll still retain the Cossie, which will prove useful in both off-road and on-road racing situations.

Embark on your inaugural journey.

Forza Horizon 5 features multiple chapters that become accessible as you earn “Accolades,” which serve as an alternative type of experience points. The initial sequence and “On a Wing and A Prayer” represent the first two chapters. Following these, you’ll get a glimpse of the upcoming chapter: you can either locate an old “Vocho,” a VW Beetle, or snap a photo of a Mesoamerican totem amidst a sandstorm. The choice between the two is yours, as both serve as the introductory segments to more complex chapters that will rapidly become available after completing around five events in the open world.

Participate in your inaugural competition.

The “First Course” series, consisting of three road races, is currently available in Forza Horizon 5 as part of the seasonal events. Participants can earn an impressive car as a reward for their victory. Image: Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios via Polygon.

The initial onboarding process lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Once completed, the entire map becomes accessible to you. Initially, the map may seem sparse, but as you accumulate Accolades and receive invitations to embark on new chapters, you will unlock a variety of new hub outposts, each designed around a specific racing theme.

For your first race, we suggest trying out the Airfield Cross Country Circuit located in the lower southwest section of the map. It’s an enjoyable track that showcases the Cossie effectively. Once the race is finished, make your way to the southeastern part of the airstrip and break the Fast Travel board located within the dilapidated hangar. This action will complete an initial accolade, rewarding you with the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z, an excellent choice for drifting that can be upgraded at a low cost. [Note: When the game notifies you of an Accolade unlockable, remember to access the Accolades screen (by pressing the Start button on the Map) to claim it. If you don’t see it in your garage, be sure to check your Accolades for any unclaimed rewards.]

Utilize the Fairlady or the Corvette parked in your garage (you can choose a new vehicle prior to any event without needing to retrieve it in the game world) to take part in the Aerodromo Drag Strip nearby. This exciting drag race offers a chance to earn some quick credits, XP, and accolade points. To prevent your wheels from spinning during the launch, it might be necessary to enable traction control. A stock Corvette should be more than capable of dominating the competition at the Highly Skilled AI difficulty level.

In drag racing with automatic transmissions, you don’t have to engage the clutch when you take off. Simply press the right trigger, and you’re ready to race. However, if you’re driving a high-torque vehicle or racing without traction control, you might have to gently modulate the accelerator to achieve a smooth start before fully accelerating.

At the far end of the runway, you’ll find a Danger Sign indicating a significant leap ahead. Build up some speed and test your limits! Certain special editions of Forza Horizon 5 offer extra vehicles to kick off your gaming experience. We successfully launched the 2017 Ford GT, available in the Premium Edition, a distance of 1,872.6 feet, landing it right in the river. To successfully clear the jump, you’ll need to reach approximately 2,000 feet.

Personalize your initial vehicle.

This serves as a perfect opportunity to return to the main hub of Horizon Festival Mexico and customize a car to reflect your personal style, especially since you’ve gotten to know a couple of them. Simply drive to the hub and hit X to enter, granting you access to the Autoshow, Auction House, Upgrades & Tuning, as well as the Designs & Paints options.

If you’re looking to customize the Cossie, there’s no need to fret; its intricate design is the standard “factory color” choice. You have the freedom to repaint it to your preference, and you can easily revert to the original appearance by selecting the first option in the vehicle’s paint menu.

Achieving the perfect color match.

Unique finishes such as semi-gloss, matte, and flake paints can be found in the Special section of the color menu. Image: Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios via Polygon.

To customize your car’s paint with unique colors in Forza Horizon 5, utilize the HSB sliders. Choose a color from the menu (you can find special finishes such as matte, flake, and two-tone in the Special tab) and hit X. This action will display the sliders.

To achieve the precise color you desire, it’s advisable to search for the hex code of the color you envision (htmlcsscolor.com and convertacolor.com are excellent tools for this). After obtaining the hex code, you can determine its HSB (or HSV) values. Below is a straightforward spreadsheet that translates these values into the corresponding numbers for the sliders in Forza Horizon 5. You are welcome to duplicate this spreadsheet for your own use in creating custom paint jobs.

Enhancing your vehicle’s capabilities

The setups browser in Forza Horizon 5 showcases collections of components and configurations utilized by other players to enhance their vehicles. It includes a histogram that clearly illustrates the performance improvements you can expect. Image: Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios via Polygon.

In the Upgrades & Tuning section, you have the option to either automatically enhance the vehicle, equipping it with components that elevate its performance to the highest level within a specific category (S2, S1, A, B, C, or D), or to manually customize the vehicle with specific parts, which is particularly beneficial for aesthetic upgrades such as spoilers or wheels.

If you’re not well-versed in the specifics of car tuning, such as camber adjustments, tire pressure, and differential settings, check out Find Tuning Setups. This resource features tuning packages and parts developed by the community, complete with a histogram that illustrates the potential performance enhancements or reductions for your vehicle. You can access the Find Tuning Setups panel and the option to buy and install these parts prior to any race from the event menu. Utilizing the work of others can help ensure that your car achieves the desired characteristics, such as improved acceleration or higher top speed.

Finally, customize your new vehicle with a unique horn! You can find the Car Horns option in the Garage Tab, located beneath the Barn Finds section. There are several dozen standard horns available, along with a wide variety of musical horns and sound effects to discover. (Indeed, you can find classics like “La Cucaracha” and “Mexican Hat Dance,” as well as the Microsoft Teams meeting join alert.)

Your next competition: Choose a road race.

Choosing a road race on a solid surface is a smart strategy for calibrating your assists, dead zones, and controls for high-performance road and track vehicles over extended periods. We tested the Emerald Circuit, located on the western end northwest of the airfield, using a Ford GT to identify the optimal settings for acceleration and traction. Keep in mind that certain high-powered cars may require traction control. However, it’s best to apply it only to your fastest vehicles, as the impact on their acceleration will be less significant compared to that of slower cars.