The weather system in the game also deserves a gold star, in which players can actively see a thunderstorm brooding in the distance, as it approaches in real time.
Forza Horizon 5 makes great use of the next-gen hardware at hand to deliver some jaw dropping visual fidelity, arguably unmatched by anything else on the market right now. This is without even mentioning the absolutely outstanding graphical achievements within the game. Speaking of customization, a racing game is nothing without its cars, and Forza Horizon 5 is packed with vehicles that can be fine tuned and modified to match each player's exact liking. The absolutely massive open world is littered with activities and things to discover, but at the same time, Forza Horizon 5 has a laundry list of dedicated multiplayer modes, with various customization options and challenges. The game is designed in a way that is extremely accessible to every kind of player, so it can be enjoyed at any particular pace. Forza Horizon 5 actually manages to nail both of these elements and so much more, providing a near limitless level of content for players to enjoy. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart nails being a solid singleplayer experience, meanwhile It Takes Two is an enjoyable multiplayer romp. Speaking of acquiring nominations in different categories, Forza Horizon 5 actually does a great job of being a complete package for racing enthusiasts and gamers in general. If games are the sum of their parts, then Forza Horizon 5 has proven to be a complete package as well, evident by how it's been recognized for its technical achievements, earning a nomination for Best Audio Design as well as Best Sports/Racing Game. Meanwhile, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart's outstanding technical prowess has snagged spots on lists for Best Art Direction.īearing this logic in mind, the overall Game of the Year recognizes games that have excelled in numerous ways, ticked off all the right boxes, and resulted in one complete and excellent package. For example, Deathloop's storyline has also earned it nominations in Best Direction and Best Narrative. Each of these games excels in particular areas, as they have also received nominations for specific categories to highlight this as well. However, this is exactly the issue and most puzzling aspect of why Forza Horizon 5 isn't present in the category for Game of the Year. It Takes Two also provided players with a charming and effective spin on how co-operative gameplay can work. Deathloop's roguelike mechanics proved to be a fun hook to keep players immersed in its world for hours on end. Each game brought something unique and engaging to the table, helping it stand out from a crowded market of stellar content this year. To be clear, pointing out the absence of Forza Horizon 5 from the shortlist of nominations is not to discredit any of those other titles of being worthy enough to make the cut. RELATED: Leaker Teases Legend of Zelda Announcement at The Game Awards
The title is being recognized in other categories, but the game not being at least considered for the top prize feels like a huge snub and has left many scratching their heads.
However, just a few days ago when this list was announced, to many gamers' surprise, Forza Horizon 5 was nowhere to be seen on the shortlist of Game of the Year nominations. With the smash hit sales numbers for Forza Horizon 5, as well as its immensely positive reception, it seemed like a done deal that the latest in the beloved racing sim would be a no-brainer for the final shortlist of Game of the Year nominees. One of the most highly rated games of the year was Forza Horizon 5, a recent release that was just as successful as any other major 2021 release. Numerous excellent titles have released in 2021 across a multitude of genres, so there was no shortage of options to choose from for the Game Awards nominations. Each year narrows down the absolute cream of the crop of what was offered over the last several months, signifying each game's strengths and ultimately choosing one overall winner. Much like how the film world celebrates the best it has to offer each year with the Oscars, the video game industry has a similar event with the Game Awards ceremony.