The latest in the iconic racing series, Forza Horizon 5 has recently been released on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game has been a smash-hit with fans and critics, exemplified by its 92 critic score and 8.8 user score on Metacritic.
Along with the excellent driving mechanics, well-integrated online play, and impressive range of vehicles to drive, Playground Games' Forza Horizon 5 is been showered with praise for its visual design. The game's Mexican map is divided into eleven separate biomes, each with its own distinctive look and feel. For those wondering where to head to first, here is a ranking of every biome in the game.
11 Sand Desert
Unfortunately, there has to be a last-place pick, and that unfavorable accolade goes to the Sand Desert biome. However, that's not to say that it's an unpleasant experience to drive here.
Although the Sand Desert comes last on this list, it's still an outstanding technical achievement and a joy to drive through, which speaks volumes to the quality of Forza Horizon 5's map. The Sand Desert biome's placement isn't down to any lack of effort or quality from Playground Games, but more because sandy deserts inherently aren't too fascinating visually.
10 Arid Hills
The Arid Hills biome stretches vertically across the middle of the map, so players will frequently find themselves scaling the biome's scenic hilltops. The sloping hills provide the perfect location for off-road racing, with players being able to reach blistering speeds as they accelerate down some of the area's steepest points.
Like the Sand Desert, the Arid Hills isn't a bad area by any means; it just struggles to match up to some of the other entries on this list.
9 Canyon
Like the Arid Hills, the Canyon provides an interesting challenge for off-road racers. The sharp drop-offs and rocky land make it seem like the last place to take a vehicle, though the stunning visuals that lie waiting at the canyon peaks make the dangerous trek well worth the effort.
As for those who prefer to stick to the road, they'll be treated to the beautiful aesthetics of the sparse array of canyons that surround them.
8 Living Desert
As the name suggests, the Living Desert offers a more scenic alternative to the aforementioned Sand Desert. The Living Desert is significantly more varied than the Sand Desert, with an abundance of vegetation and wildlife giving the biome more character.
Granted, the Living Desert biome is more restricting in regards to off-road racing. However, it makes up for it with its gorgeous sights that surround the roads.
7 Swamp
On paper, a swamp biome may sound like the last place that players would want to visit in a game all about stunning visuals and scenic locations. However, Playground Games have designed a luscious-looking area with tons of detailed vegetation, stunning lighting effects, and glistening waterways.
The Swamp biome is one of the game's smallest, which works in its favor as it's a pleasant surprise for players every time they stumble upon it.
6 Farmland
The Farmland biome almost feels like a callback to the quintessentially British farms from Forza Horizon 4. Players will be spending plenty of time among the Farmland's crops, as the biome takes up a significant portion of Forza Horizon 5's map.
The variety in agriculture gives the Farmland a burst of color, while the relatively flat land makes for some excellent off-road driving.
5 Rocky Coast
From one of the largest biomes to one of the smallest, the Rocky Coast biome is a wonderful hidden pocket of Forza Horizon 5's map. As the name suggests, the biome's highlight is its coastal shores, as players can drive adjacent to the sea on the largely vacant beach, ideal for racing.
The Rocky Coast has excellent potential for scenic races in upcoming events, while future seasons could see a low tide implemented, creating more space for vehicles.
4 Jungle
In most racing games, the idea of a jungle biome would sound like a nightmare. Trees are the natural enemy of players in racing games, so an overgrown jungle seems like it would be a pain to drive through.
Although there are indeed plenty of wooden roadblocks, driving through Forza Horizon 5's jungle biome is well worth the effort as the level of detail and density of the plant life is an incredible technical achievement. The Jungle also has some beautiful temples that are well worth visiting.
3 Gran Caldera Volcano
Right off the bat, players get a fantastic look at the Gran Caldera Volcano biome as the game kicks off with players being dropped next to its fiery core. The volcano's peak is by far the highest point of Forza Horizon's map, offering some of the most comprehensive and stunning views of the Mexican map.
The Gran Caldera Volcano is worth keeping an eye on, as there will undoubtedly be some exciting seasonal events in the area.
2 Tropical Coast
The Tropical Coast sits at the far east side of Forza Horizon 5's map, and it ensures that players who make the journey to it are well compensated. The Tropical Coast's beach is almost dream-like, with its golden sand and crystal blue sea making it a truly immersive place to visit.
The biome's plant life makes it more challenging to race across than the Rocky Coast. However, it earns its higher spot on this list for exemplifying how beautiful Forza Horizon 5 can be.
1 Guanajuato
The Guanajuato biome sticks out like a sore thumb in the game. Unlike the other areas that are dominated by plant life and long stretches of vegetation, Guanajuato is a densely populated city with a plethora of tightly packed buildings that are bursting with color.
The uniqueness of Guanajuato makes every visit to it feel special, and Playground Games clearly invested a ton of time in making the biome one of the game's flagship areas.
Forza Horizon 5 is out now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.