The place is Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2?

Contemplating greater than six months have handed because the launch of the Sizzling Wheels growth, Forza Horizon 5’s promised second growth is lengthy overdue.

Hypothesis about Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 is mounting, however the lack of updates from Playground Video games is leaving followers questioning if the following growth will ever arrive.

What’s occurring with Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2?

Since its publication Playground Video games has revealed Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 because the Rally Journey Enlargement.

Again in November final yr, Recreation Designer Torben Ellert confirmed the following growth is coming in “early 2023,” promising that Playground Video games will share extra particulars within the new yr.

“We’re laborious at work constructing the second growth for Forza Horizon 5,” he mentioned in November’s Forza Month-to-month present. “You may anticipate to see it in early 2023. We could have extra to share after we enter the brand new yr.”

Quick ahead to January’s Forza Month-to-month, and Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 was by no means talked about, nor did it seem within the Xbox Developer Direct present the place Forza Motorsport was showcased final month.

That is extremely uncommon. Since Forza Horizon 2, each Forza Horizon sport has had two expansions, with the second releasing inside the first yr of the sport’s launch. Forza Horizon 5 has been out for over a yr now, but the second growth continues to be shrouded in thriller.

Playground Video games’ ongoing silence in regards to the subsequent Forza Horizon 5 growth isn’t serving to the state of affairs and is just heightening gamers’ expectations.

Artistic Director Mike Brown leaving Playground Video games together with different senior employees to type new AAA studio Maverick Video games earlier this yr has solely amplified group issues.

These employees departures might have delayed Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2. A quick replace throughout January’s Forza Month-to-month confirming it’s nonetheless in improvement with a tough launch window would have reassured followers. With no updates from Playground Video games, some followers are fearful that Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 is cancelled.

That is impossible although, as Enlargement 2 can nonetheless be pre-ordered as a part of the Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle, which incorporates each expansions.

What is going to the theme be?

In keeping with the Expansions Bundle itemizing, Enlargement 2 will introduce a “new location, automobiles and gameplay to develop your Forza Horizon 5 expertise.” However the theme continues to be an entire thriller.

Traditionally, each Forza Horizon sport has had two themed expansions that includes new automobiles and places. Considered one of them is generally a licensed collaboration with a preferred IP like Sizzling Wheels and Lego.

Previous expansions like FH2’s Storm Island, FH3’s Blizzard Mountain and FH4’s Fortune Island have launched new maps, automobiles, campaigns and excessive climate situations to boost the gameplay.  

Hypothesis is rife that Enlargement 2 will likely be a follow-up to Forza Horizon 4’s Lego Velocity Champions. This might be disappointing after Enlargement 1 was successfully a rehash of Forza Horizon 3’s Sizzling Wheels growth with diminishing returns. However it’s not solely far-fetched both.

When Forza Motorsport was proven on the current Xbox & Bethesda Developer_Direct presentation, eagle-eyed followers noticed Lego automobiles intentionally positioned on developer’s desks.

Lego automobiles received’t match within the simulation-focused Forza Motorsport – might this be teasing a brand new Lego-themed growth for Forza Horizon 5?

Contemplating Sizzling Wheels has already been recycled, a brand new Lego growth received’t be shocking. With solely 5 new automobiles, a small and forgettable map, and uninspired challenges, Lego Velocity Champions is among the weakest Forza Horizon expansions. Revisiting the world of Lego once more most likely will not go down nicely.

If there isn’t a Lego-themed growth, Lego automobiles from the earlier growth would possibly get added in a future month-to-month playlist replace as reward automobiles.

We’re hoping Playground Video games can give you a extra artistic theme and a very new location for Enlargement 2. After the outlandish Sizzling Wheels growth, we’d welcome a brand new down-to-earth location that expands the map with new environments and racing varieties.

It is time for Forza Horizon 5 to deliver one thing contemporary within the subsequent growth. One chance is a drag-racing-themed growth.

Audio clips alluding to a brand new drag-racing replace have been not too long ago found in a datamine leak, with new drag strip places and a marketing campaign taking you thru a number of eras of drag racing from the Nineteen Thirties to the current day. Nonetheless, it isn’t clear if that is a part of Enlargement 2 or an everyday month-to-month replace.

Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 launch date

The Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 launch date is but to be confirmed. On the time of writing, Playground Video games hasn’t offered a launch window.

Forza Motorsport was initially alleged to launch in Spring 2023 earlier than reportedly being delayed till the second half of 2023. This will likely have led to Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 being rescheduled to maximise gross sales.

With that in thoughts, Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 might launch this spring between March and Could, however we can’t know till Playground Video games confirms the discharge date. 

Let’s hope Playground Video games breaks the silence in February’s Forza Month-to-month stream later this month. With the Horizon Wilds Takeover collection confirmed for March, it’s unlikely to be the primary focus, however we should still get a teaser for Enlargement 2. 

Nonetheless, the Sizzling Wheels Enlargement was unveiled in June final yr through the Xbox & Bethesda Video games Showcase in June alongside Forza Motorsport earlier than releasing in July. This might point out Enlargement 2 is being held again till the summer season with a reveal deliberate for this yr’s Xbox & Bethesda Showcase presumably in June.

Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 has quite a bit to stay as much as. Month-to-month Pageant Playlist updates full of recycled automobiles from previous Forza Horizon video games and tedious challenges which might be a chore to finish aren’t fascinating gamers.

With Forza Horizon 6 unlikely to reach till 2024 on the earliest and stiff competitors from new open-world racers like Check Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown and The Crew Motorfest, Forza Horizon 5 Enlargement 2 must be spectacular to draw gamers again. Let’s hope the additional improvement time ensures it exceeds expectations.