We’re days out from the release of Forza Horizon 4, and the festival is only the beginning. With so much to take in, the fourth installment may be a little overwhelming at first. With launch day on the horizon (pun intended), it’s time to look at what the future holds.
It goes without saying car packs are fair game. In fact, FH4 is doing things a little different this time around in regards to this. Shaking up the age old formula, Horizon 4 will deliver two new vehicles to players every week. Your eyes aren’t deceiving you: it’s a bold move to step away from monthly releases, but it will keep the game fresh.
Then, of course, there’s one of the more anticipated features: the route creator. Announced at this year’s E3, it brings the open world experience full circle. It won’t be available at launch, but will accompany a major update next month.
Thanks to Inside Xbox, we have our first look at the upcoming feature.
Instead of using a map to set the route, you’ll drive it in-game. It’s a welcomed change to the way this feature is usually handled, and it keeps you in the action. Players will have full freedom to go where they want, laying down checkpoints along the way.
If you’re wondering how long the route can be, you’ll have plenty of open road to set the perfect route. How much? 40 miles. In the words of Ralph Fulton, that’s enough to “take you around the world a couple of times.” That’s more than enough to get the creative juices flowing, and we can’t wait to see what the community comes us with.
There’s a lot riding on this feature, and it aims to deliver and then some. As Fulton points out, you’ll be able to set checkpoints on the roofs of houses — if you can get the car to them. Challenge accepted.
Once players have created their route, it’s time for a test drive to make sure things are on the up and up. Before that, Horizon Blueprint comes into play. As this feature taught us in FH3, events can be further customized. Whether it be weather conditions, car themes, or the time of day, it’s all at your fingertips.
Added bonus, as FH4 features dynamic seasons, you’ll have that option to tinker with that as well. Creating an event during the summer but you want the visual of autumn? Go right ahead.
After testing, players are free to share their routes with friends and the community at large. Here, categories will separate the best from the rest. While all submitted routes are subject to likes and dislikes, you can take a more direct approach. In the Community Events folder, players will find trending events, a ‘best of’ series, and Playground Editor’s Picks.
As we’ve said a dozen times, we can’t wait to get our hands on the route creator. The feature arrives with the second update on October 25.
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