The launch of the latest installment to the Forza franchise, Forza Horizon 5, has been met with excitement from racing fans. Not everyone might have had the chance to pick up a copy though, or can perhaps afford the game upon its release. There are several great alternatives to this game though.
Whether they are from the Forza line itself or perhaps are other great racing games within the genre, these titles help to capture the same essence of the Horizon 5 and some may even be underrated gems that have been overlooked for far too long. Not all of these titles are Xbox exclusive either!
Grand Theft Auto V (2013)
As one of the most popular titles of all time Grand Theft Auto V has contributed a great deal to the racing genre. Although narratively it’s completely different from the Forza series, its open-world gameplay and penchant for high-speed chases certainly provide the same thrills.
Developed by Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto V‘s hard missions and free-roaming options continue to dazzle audiences even almost a decade after its release. Both titles manage to capture the same concept of jumping in a car and seeing where the streets take the player, although one definitely crams in more violence and mayhem onto various consoles than the other.
The Crew 2 (2018)
The original iteration of The Crew was perhaps underrated upon its release but managed to nail the open-world driving formula with its gorgeous visuals and extensive tracks. The Crew 2 turned all of this up to 11 and Forza would have undoubtedly looked at the title for some inspiration.
The beauty of the title from Ubisoft really cannot be undersold, with the scaled-down iteration of the United States working perfectly on previous-gen consoles like the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The variety of vehicles also helps the game to stand out, with the sea and the air both available as domains for the player to conquer.
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec (2001)
Gran Turismo is arguably one of the biggest rivals to the Forza series. There are many fantastic games from throughout the franchise but Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec is definitely amongst the best. Available on the PS2, this title is a great throwback for racing fans.
At the height of its genre at the time, A-Spec set the standard in regard to track-based racing. The core of the title was actually quite simple, with completionists rewarded for winning each race and championship while unlocking fantastic vehicles along the way. The Polyphony Digital and Sony Computer Entertainment game may seem dated now but it’s a perfect experience for retro gamers.
Forza Motorsport 7 (2017)
The game that felt like The Fast And The Furious series thanks to its tie-in DLC pack, Forza Motorsport 7 is one of the best of the series despite its clear marketing ploys. The relatively recent Xbox title demonstrated the heights the Motorsport line could go to, improving upon all of its predecessors.
Although it’s not open world like its recent Forza brethren, the Turn 10 and Microsoft Studios installment featured over 700 cars in an impressive display of range and versatility. This Xbox One project was combined with 32 locations to explore and tracks that allowed the player to push the vehicles to their limits while utilizing all of the intriguing skills built into the gameplay mechanics.
Need For Speed: Most Wanted (2012)
Need For Speed represents another rival to the Forza line and one that often puts the storytelling ahead of just the racing mechanics. Most Wanted once again jumps into the open-world genre but adds a chase element that has been appealing to gamers thanks to the impact of Grand Theft Auto.
As one of the best Need For Speed games, Most Wanted really benefited from specific gameplay modes. Whether they involved a hot pursuit with the police on the player’s heels or a multiplayer sprint, these options opened up what could be achieved in this kind of racer.
Blur (2010)
Blur from Bizarre Creations launched on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 and continues to be one of the most underrated racing games of all time. Visually it is quite stunning, relying on a neon, almost cyberpunk-esque look for its cities and tracks.
Although it might not boast the same complex mechanics and systems of a title like Forza, Blur’s arcade-style of gameplay was certainly a lot of fun to utilize behind the wheel. A career mode acts as a compelling campaign for those looking for one, but the online and co-op multiplayer through familiar cities caps off the experience nicely.
Forza Street (2018)
Mobile games aren’t often mentioned in the same conversation as a console game, but Forza Street shouldn’t be overlooked despite the platform it was launched on. A minor addition to the Forza series, Street, from Turn 10 and Microsoft Studios doesn’t forget to put quality first.
It’s a game that puts fast-paced action at its forefront, with players collecting a huge variety of motor vehicles to do battle within a series of quick races. It’s very much Forza lite but that doesn’t take away from the surprising visual depth, intuitive controls, and the ability to jump into a track from anywhere on the map.
Burnout Paradise (2008)
Criterion Software and Stellar Entertainment worked on Burnout Paradise which much like many other of its genre is an open-world style racing game, although one that highlighted advanced techniques despite its release date. The PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 title did something quite unique with its setup.
The game’s developers designed the game around a fictional location, allowing for the tracks to be imaginatively unique. A remastering on Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch demonstrates the high quality of Burnout Paradise, thanks in large part to impressive cinematography and a complete structural breakdown compared to other games in the genre. The multiplayer was compelling but the destructive Showtime Mode was the must-play moment of the game.
Wreckfest (2014)
Forza doesn’t often put the focus on the destructive nature of racing despite the ability to crash into one another, but Wreckfest turns the concept on its head and creates a title that has been purely made to encourage wreckages. The Bugbear Entertainment and THQ Nordic action game is available on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox One, Series X|S, PS4, PS4 Pro, and PS5, as well as PC.
The gameplay is almost arcade-like in its design, with simplified tracks created in order to cause the most amount of crashes possible. There are no open-world options or complicated modes, but there are a lot of exciting opportunities that use traditional elements such as customization or basic hierarchal rankings and add a unique destruction derby element to proceedings.
MotorStorm: Apocalypse (2011)
The PlayStation 3 game MotorStorm: Apocalypse from Evolution Studios and Sony Interactive Entertainment does more with its storytelling than most other racing games. Set during an apocalypse, this narrative backdrop influences every vehicle and track.
This Mad-Max-esque style game takes place during a racing festival much like the Horizon line, as players control one of three protagonists, each of which has a different level of racing experience. A wider variety of vehicles including motorbikes helps to expand the title, while environmental elements really become a major factor within gameplay.
