Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure Review – Is It Worth the Ride?

Renowned for their prowess in game development, Playground Games, a UK-based studio, truly outdid themselves with the creation of “Forza Horizon 5”. This stunningly executed racing game has captured the hearts and minds of countless gamers since its debut on November 9, 2021. The game’s immersive environment and thrilling races captivated thousands, creating a buzz in the gaming community.

In their quest to keep players enthralled, Playground Games released a series of downloadable content (DLCs) following the initial game’s release. These extra features encompassed an array of exciting additions, including innovative story content, brand-new vehicles, and novel gameplay components that significantly enhanced the gaming experience.

A new DLC pack, dubbed “Rally Adventure”, was recently made accessible to gamers. Designed with rally enthusiasts in mind, it was expected to bring an adrenaline surge to the players’ experience, creating heart-pounding moments of thrilling off-road action.

However, contrary to the anticipation, the latest DLC pack was met with a lukewarm reception. The new additions seemed to fall short of expectations, with grievances being raised about numerous aspects of the pack. These ranged from the fresh in-game map’s design to the overall execution of the rallies themselves – it seems that “Rally Adventure” was not the exciting escapade many had hoped it would be.

We’re about to delve deeper into the latest DLC offering for Forza Horizon 5, in a comprehensive review of “Rally Adventure”. In this exploration, we aim to answer the burning question in your mind: is this DLC worth your time and investment? It’s time to buckle up, rev up those engines, and find out if this adventure is worth taking.

The Expected and the Unexpected: Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure Review

As we packed away the vibrant and whimsical experiences offered by the season pass that whisked us away to the magnificent airborne island of Hot Wheels last July, it was only natural to expect Forza Horizon 5’s latest DLC to bring us back to Earth, with a return to more realistic themes. Despite this expected shift, there was a glimmer of hope that we’d stumble upon additional content that could reshape the traditional Horizon formula. After all, past expansions like Blizzard Mountain and Fortune Island were successful in this regard, introducing the thrill of adverse weather conditions and challenging driving scenarios.

Rally Adventure: A Déjà vu Experience

Regrettably, it doesn’t take long to see that the Rally Adventure expansion fails to deliver on this hope. Within minutes, it becomes apparent that the new content feels all too familiar, closely resembling the original game experience. This is primarily due to the striking resemblance between the new region introduced in the DLC, and the Mexico map from the original game.

Sierra Nueva is the new setting making its first appearance with the Rally Adventure DLC. This digital masterpiece beautifully captures the signature canyons of the Mexican countryside and, despite its stunning visuals, presents a déjà vu experience. The region features a plethora of familiar landscapes we’ve already traversed in the past, offering little in terms of novelty.

Sierra Nueva: A Repeat Performance

Although the new region boasts sandy deserts, vast plains, mountainous terrains, and lush palm-tree jungles, it merely reiterates the same cross-section of biomes we’d praised in our review of Forza Horizon 5. The diverse biomes do ensure a variety in the over thirty races hosted in the DLC. However, the feeling of novelty that thrilled us as we raced along the whimsical Hot Wheels tracks in the last expansion is noticeably missing.

In summary, while the Rally Adventure expansion offers a gorgeous recreation of the Mexican wilderness, it lacks the sense of discovery and novelty that makes a new DLC truly exciting. This “more of the same” approach may be satisfactory to some, but those seeking a fresh and invigorating twist to the Forza Horizon 5 experience may find it lacking.

Rally Adventure: A Deeper Look into the New Forza Horizon 5 DLC

At the heart of the new Rally Adventure DLC is a campaign that adheres strictly to the traditional structure seen in other DLCs by Playground Games. We must admit, we weren’t expecting a radical departure from this proven formula, given its successful track record in previous releases.

Interestingly, the game reintroduces characters from the main storyline, casting them in new roles as leaders of distinct rally teams, each geared towards a specific type of competition.

Meet the Teams: Horizon Raptors, Apex Predators, and Grit Reapers

Alex takes charge of the Horizon Raptors, a team predominantly engaged in mixed-surface races with significant gravel sections. Alejandra, on the other hand, leads the Apex Predators, who specialize in high-speed road rallies. Lastly, Ramiro stands at the helm of the Grit Reapers, a squad that combines the racing disciplines of the other two teams.

The ultimate objective is familiar: participate and excel in events hosted by the three teams, accumulate experience, and ascend the reputation ranks of each group. The rewards for success are plentiful, ranging from personalized driver customizations to a fleet of 10 brand new vehicles.

A Winning Formula, but a Familiar Experience

This progression structure, as expected, is effective and generally delivers a satisfying experience. However, it inevitably involves a series of activities that follow the exact script of the original game. Much like the previous Hot Wheels expansion, the DLC remains anchored to the classic division between warning signs, speed detectors, and skid zones, elements that seasoned players are all too familiar with.

Despite a sense of repetition, the first hour of gameplay is genuinely exhilarating, even amid the all-too-familiar scenery. Taking the wheel of the iconic 2001 Ford Focus #4, famously driven by Colin McRae, while your co-driver passionately announces upcoming turns, is a novel experience within the Forza series.

For rally enthusiasts, this high-octane introduction might be enough to justify the price of admission. However, for the broader audience, the DLC might struggle to maintain its appeal through the approximately 10 hours of gameplay it offers. This is largely attributed to some design choices that, while seemingly inevitable, contribute to a sense of monotony as the game progresses.

Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure: An Exploration of the New Racing Formula

Distinguishing rally racing from other motorsport disciplines is the distinct nature of the competition; it’s a sport primarily focused on solitary racing. Unlike other racing genres where the track is shared simultaneously with multiple competitors, rally races are often characterized by the absence of other vehicles, barring rare exceptions.

In keeping with the tradition of this discipline, Playground Games sought to replicate the authentic rally experience as closely as possible in their latest DLC for Forza Horizon 5, steering clear of any compromises. Although the classic race format remains an option, the DLC pivots around a fresh race formula. This new model leans towards time trials, tasking players with beating the clock rather than physically overtaking rivals on the track.

The Impact of Solitary Racing: Repetition and Overfamiliarity

This single-player focus, coupled with a recurring campaign design and the familiarity of Sierra Nueva’s landscapes, leads to a somewhat bland experience with the Rally Adventure DLC. The expansion, by its very nature, keeps players behind the wheel of vehicles that are fundamentally less agile and rapid, racing through countless time trial laps against non-tangible competitors.

This isn’t to say that the execution by Playground Games is subpar. However, the DLC could benefit from more innovation and less repetition in its campaign structure. The overarching flaw lies at the heart of the expansion itself, which, considering Playground Games’ history of delivering engaging content, seems disappointingly mundane.

Notable Additions: Launch Control and Anti-lag System

What else does the DLC bring to the table? A couple of minor additions make their debut. Firstly, the “launch control” mechanic is introduced to assist players in achieving perfect race starts. Secondly, a new “anti-lag” system, available for turbocharged vehicles, allows for a dramatic display of flames spewing from the exhaust pipes.

Regrettably, these small novelties do not add enough spice to make the expansion more memorable. They provide a certain novelty factor, but they aren’t enough to transform the overall experience into something unforgettable. In conclusion, while the Rally Adventure expansion brings some new elements to the Forza Horizon 5 gameplay, it fails to significantly distinguish itself from the main game, leaving room for improvement in terms of innovation and engagement.

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Examining Gameplay Elements in Forza Horizon 5’s Rally Adventure

The Rally Adventure expansion introduces an interesting, albeit frustrating, gameplay element – a helicopter that accompanies you throughout your racing journey. The presence of the helicopter, while perhaps meant to enhance the overall experience, soon becomes a nuisance due to the constant noise it produces, which can become increasingly irksome over time.

Moreover, as the helicopter hovers overhead, it whips up a dust storm on the track, which can significantly impair your visibility during the race. This issue is less problematic when using the follow camera view as it provides a broader overview of the action. However, for players who favor the first-person perspective, the dust swirls can considerably obstruct their field of vision, preventing them from seeing the track ahead clearly. This isn’t the best situation for those who prefer a more immersive, cockpit-view racing experience.

Timely Announcements, or Lack Thereof

If the helicopter companion was swift and accurate with its navigational announcements, these visibility issues might be manageable. However, if you’re driving at high speeds on some tracks, the guidance comes much too late. Being warned about a sharp turn as you’re already in it is far from helpful.

There’s a track map located in the screen’s upper corner, displaying upcoming bends, hills, and other obstacles. But to use it effectively, you need to momentarily shift your focus away from your vehicle and the road – a manageable task for seasoned players, but potentially hazardous for newcomers.

To enhance the driving experience, you may find it helpful to activate the game’s navigation system – arrows that guide you along the correct route. Additionally, using the minimap can significantly aid in navigating the terrain. Although the use of these aids may diminish the authentic rally racing feeling, they considerably improve the gameplay experience, making it more enjoyable and less frustrating.

Performance Issues: Sandy Terrain and Frame Rates

Certain aspects of the game’s performance could use some improvement. Notably, when transitioning onto sandy terrain in the middle of a race, there’s a noticeable drop in frame rate. If you’re using a high-performance computer, this may not be a significant issue. However, for players using older hardware, this could potentially result in gameplay disruptions.

In conclusion, while the Rally Adventure DLC of Forza Horizon 5 brings some new elements to the table, there are some gameplay factors that may cause frustration for the players. Adjusting some of these elements could enhance the overall experience and ensure a smoother, more enjoyable ride for all racers.

Verdict – 6

Playground Games’ “Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure” DLC falls short of expectations, lacking the novelty and excitement that previous expansions brought to the game. While the new region, Sierra Nueva, showcases stunning visuals, it feels all too familiar, resembling the original game’s map. The campaign structure, featuring three rally teams, follows a proven formula but offers little innovation. The DLC’s focus on solitary racing through time trials, combined with the repetitive landscapes, leads to a somewhat bland experience. Minor additions like launch control and anti-lag systems provide novelty but don’t significantly enhance gameplay. The presence of a helicopter companion can become irritating, causing visibility issues on the track. Late navigational announcements and frame rate drops on sandy terrain further detract from the overall experience. Although the DLC has its moments, it struggles to maintain its appeal, leaving room for improvement in terms of innovation, engagement, and gameplay enhancements.

Pros of “Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure” DLC:

1. Stunning Visuals: The DLC offers a gorgeous recreation of the Mexican wilderness, showcasing impressive graphics and attention to detail.
2. Familiar Progression Structure: The campaign follows a proven formula seen in previous DLCs, providing a satisfying and familiar progression experience.
3. Variety of Races: With over thirty races hosted in the DLC, players can experience a variety of race types and challenges.
4. High-Octane Introduction: The DLC starts with an exhilarating gameplay experience, particularly for rally enthusiasts, featuring iconic rally cars and passionate co-driver announcements.

Cons of “Forza Horizon 5: Rally Adventure” DLC:

1. Lack of Novelty: The DLC fails to deliver a fresh and exciting experience, as the new region introduced feels too familiar and closely resembles the original game’s map.
2. Repetitive Campaign Design: The DLC follows a similar structure to the main game and previous expansions, leading to a sense of repetition and monotony as the game progresses.
3. Single-Player Focus: The DLC’s emphasis on solitary racing through time trials can result in a somewhat bland experience, lacking the excitement of competing against other players.
4. Irritating Helicopter Companion: The presence of a helicopter that accompanies the player throughout races can become a nuisance due to constant noise and dust storms that impair visibility, particularly for players using the first-person perspective.
5. Late Navigational Announcements: The helicopter’s navigational announcements often come too late, leading to issues in anticipating and reacting to sharp turns and obstacles on the track.
6. Performance Issues: Transitioning onto sandy terrain can cause noticeable frame rate drops, potentially disrupting gameplay, especially for players with older hardware.

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