There are only two kinds of people: those who love material possessions, and the experience collectors. Who's right?
That's my prevailing thought after a week with Forza Horizon 5 (which you can buy here), the biggest and in many ways the finest in a series whose standards have never dropped below 'really, really good.' I've put on fire-retardant suits, driven up an active volcano, and released thermal vents. I've chased storms through the jungle and documented ancient temple ruins and statues. As cars para-dropped out of cargo planes I took them under control and literally hit the ground running - don't spoil the moment, I know cars don't run - along spectacular point-to-points. I've also already started grinding the 34-mile Goliath race for credits and XP. Do I want experiences, or do I want stuff?
I haven't been out with the tape measure, but developer Playground Games says the Mexican open world map in Horizon 5 is 50% bigger than the UK in Horizon 4. The bad news for the local denizens is that gaming's most preposterous festival is pitching up here, defiling the natural beauty of the landscape with a fleet of tents emitting loud drum and bass songs at all hours.
RELATED LINKS:
Forza Horizon 5 reaches three million players and Steam's top ten
Forza Horizon 5 is getting picture-in-picture sign language options
Forza Horizon 5 reviews - our roundup of the critics' scores
