Petrolheads rejoice – the world’s best racing game is about to pull up into your driveway.
Forza Horizon 4 is mere days away from gracing Xbox One consoles and PCs around the globe, with gamers who pre-ordered the Ultimate Edition jumping into the high-speed action on 28 September, ahead of the standard 2 October release date.
Featuring over 450 drool-worthy cars and set in a stunning representation of the UK – from packed streets to vast expanses of rolling hills and countryside, Forza Horizon 4 offers something for hardcore racing fans and casual drivers alike.
The first title in the series to include beautifully realistic weather cycles across all four seasons, Forza Horizon 4 will envelop players into their own world – whether they’re battling it out for first place in a race, or earning some extra money in death-defying movie stunts.
We’ve already seen plenty of reviewers provide their opinion and thoughts of the game ahead of its release, so we’ve rounded up a small selection of their overall thoughts below (including links to their full reviews), so that you can more easily decide whether you want to jump into the driver’s seat.
Buckle up, and happy racing.
IGN – 9.6/10
Luke Reilly: “I’ll always have a massive soft spot for the down under delights of Forza Horizon 3, but open-world racing has never looked as good as it does in Forza Horizon 4. It combines a beautiful world that’s really four hugely distinct maps in one with a constantly rewarding and self-renewing racing experience and I really can’t tear myself away from it. Playground Games hasn’t just upped the ante once again; it’s blown the bloody doors off.”
Heavy – 9.75/10
Elton Jones: “Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios are masterful in their approach to open-world racing. Forza Horizon 4 is clearly proof of that. The never-ending reward loop, huge host of events to compete in, massive collection of vehicles, and interesting takes on competitive/co-op multiplayer challenges do a lot to make this racer worthwhile. Ripping down the roads of the UK is an incredible experience, plus the seasonal changes do a lot to freshen up everything featured on the beaten path… Forza Horizon 4 is an exhilarating tour through the beautiful countryside of Great Britain. Racing game fans and non-fans alike need to give this amazing sequel a go.”
Games Radar – 4/5
Justin Towell: “Most importantly, however, there is a core of challenging and enjoyable racing to be done, and when that’s combined with beautiful visuals, integrated-but-optional online play and an astonishing list of famous marques of past and present, everyone will find something to like about Forza Horizon 4. Just don’t expect another beach party – it’s 7 degrees, starting to drizzle, and all the locals seem to have gone on holiday to somewhere nicer. I hear Australia’s nice this time of year…”
Gamespot – 9/10
Edmond Tran: “There’s such a diverse range of activities stuffed into every corner of Horizon 4, and meaningful changes contribute to smart driving dynamics and a more consistent sense of achievement. Everything you do in Horizon feels valuable, no matter how big or small–from the basic thrills of speeding a fast car down a gorgeous mountain highway to spending time tinkering with your favorite ride to manage seasonal road conditions to just hanging out with friends and strangers online and goofing off in friendly games. The charm of the Horizon series is as palpable as ever, a winning, all-inclusive recipe that celebrates the joy of driving above all else.”
VG24/7 – 9.75/10
James O’Connor: “It’s a more chilled-out experience, in that you don’t feel any real pressure to hit specific goals – whatever you do while you play, there will be a tangible end-benefit to it. There are so many different events, and so much to do and find, but it never feels daunting unless you want to nail every weekly challenge and goal. And ultimately, the game is likely to improve once everyone gets in there, and our clubs fill up, the online modes become populated, and there are more car tunes, photos, paint jobs, auctions, and blueprints being shared. For the past week, Forza Horizon 4 has felt like an excellent party where I’ve arrived an hour or two too early for – I’m extremely excited to see what the game will turn into once everyone else arrives.”
Heavy – 9.75/10
Elton Jones: “Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios are masterful in their approach to open-world racing. Forza Horizon 4 is clearly proof of that. The never-ending reward loop, huge host of events to compete in, massive collection of vehicles, and interesting takes on competitive/co-op multiplayer challenges do a lot to make this racer worthwhile. Ripping down the roads of the UK is an incredible experience, plus the seasonal changes do a lot to freshen up everything featured on the beaten path… Forza Horizon 4 is an exhilarating tour through the beautiful countryside of Great Britain. Racing game fans and non-fans alike need to give this amazing sequel a go.”
