Forza Horizon 5 is the ideal Xbox 360 portable game
Forza Horizon 5 is a stunning example of the Xbox Series X’s potential. I’ve had a great time racing through the streets of Mexico while listening to classical music and admiring the game’s lush and vibrant scenery. It’s one of the few games on a console that doesn’t have a lot of big-name exclusives to show off the latest Xbox’s capabilities. It turns out that it’s a fantastic portable game as well!
I’d like you to listen to what I have to say. It’s true that the visuals on the big screen are spectacular. However, Forza Horizon 5’s simple gameplay and plethora of customization options make it a great fit for smartphones. Using my iPhone 12 Mini plugged into a Backbone One controller, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well the game works with the controller.
Most of Forza Horizon 5’s core gameplay revolves around driving around the map or participating in races and following the big blue driving line. In spite of the iPhone 12 Mini’s small screen, the line is clearly visible and I can usually follow it without difficulty. In addition, the controls are simple to use. Most of the time, I’m only concerned with one gas and one brake trigger, and the left control stick for navigation. On the Backbone One’s smaller layout, I’m able to handle all of that.
On a phone screen, Forza Horizon 5’s generous rewind feature helps alleviate any frustrations. I’ve missed a few turns because I couldn’t see far enough ahead of me while racing. Nevertheless, if I somehow manage to miss a hairpin turn, I can simply press the rewind button and try again.
This is a game that can be picked up and put down in a matter of minutes. While the vast map of Forza Horizon 5 is littered with races and activities (I doubt I’ll ever finish them all), the majority of them are short and sweet. That means that even if you only have 15 minutes to play, you can accomplish something.
For the most part, console streaming has worked well for me. Few frame rate issues have occurred to me, but that could be because my studio home is only a few feet away from both my Wi-Fi router, and my Sony A7II. However, when I’ve experienced choppy performance, I’ve simply lowered the difficulty setting to make things a little more forgiving. You can get a sense of what Xbox Cloud Gaming might feel like by playing Forza Horizon 4, which has a small but manageable amount of input lag for my taste. (It’s possible that your mileage may vary.)
As a competitive racer, playing Forza Horizon 5 on a phone may not be the best option. Playing the game is a lot more relaxed for me than it is for most people. I rarely veer off of the driving line, play against AI cars on average difficulty, use the rewind feature liberally, and often exit a race early when I can’t finish in the top three. To my knowledge, I haven’t competed online with other players. To do that while playing a game on my phone, it wouldn’t be possible for me.
However, as games continue to grow in size, having a portable way to play and attainable goals to reach is more important than ever. As a fan of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the Nintendo Switch, I’m pleased to see games like Forza offer the same level of flexibility. Much of the game’s design lends itself to short burst mobile gameplay, and its addictive cycle works on any screen. Forza Horizon 5 could be a great showcase for the Steam Deck, as it will be available on Steam as well.
If Microsoft does not create a handheld Xbox, it does not need to. Games like Forza can be enjoyed on the go if you have a phone and a controller that can be connected to it.