Forza is undoubtedly one of the best car game franchises on the market. Since its emergency with Forza Motorsport in 2005, gamers across the globe have spent endless hours enjoying Forza games.
In 2012, Forza was split into two separate franchises, Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon, both providing a different gaming experience for racing fans.
So, what's the difference between the two? In this blog, car leasing experts Nationwide Vehicle Contracts explain both games and who they're oriented towards.
Forza Horizon
- Open-World Exploration - Forza Horizon is an open-world game, meaning that you can free-roam wherever you want. Each version of Forza Horizon is set in a different location, from Australia to Great Britain to Mexico.
- Festival Atmosphere - Forza Horizon is set around the fiction Horizon Festival, a festival celebrating music and motor racing. This creates a cultural and part-like atmosphere when playing the game.
Forza Motorsport
- Closed Circuit Racing - Forza Motorsport is your traditional track racing experience. You race against others on recreated real-world tracks, providing a controlled and competitive environment.
- Professional Racing Fleet - Forza Motorsport emulates real-life professional racing, emphasising the precision and skill needed to race the tracks in real life.
Forza Horizon
- Diverse Car Roster - Horizon offers a wide range of vehicles, from off-roaders to supercars. One reason for this is that there's a range of terrains in Horizon games, meaning a wide range of cars are needed to help navigate.
- Customisation for Style and Fun - As Horizon is set around the Horizon Festival, there's a strong emphasis on visual customisation that reflects the casual and fun nature of the game.
Forza Motorsport
- Focus on Racing Cars - With Motorsport games restricted to the track, it tends to lean more towards performance and racing cars. It still offers a variety of vehicle types.
- Detailed Tuning Options - Motorsport provides more in-depth tuning options, catering to those who enjoy tweaking their cars. Whether you want more power or better handling, Motorsport customisation has everything you need.
Forza Horizon
Arcade-style Physics - Horizon is known for its more forgiving and arcade-like driving physics. This makes it accessible to a wider range of players, emphasising fun and exploration over realism.
Forza Motorsport
Simulation-style Physics - Motorsport is designed to offer a more realistic driving experience. The game's physics engine demands precision and skill, appealing to players who enjoy a more authentic racing simulation.
Both Forza Horizon and Forza Motorsport display stunning graphics. Horizon is more diverse because it is an open-world game, while Motorsport has every minute detail, from engines to livery, down to a T.
Forza Horizon
- Casual and Social Multiplayer - Horizon's multiplayer is more casual, with a strong emphasis on community events, cooperative challenges, and having fun.
Forza Motorsport
- Competitive - Find yourself in a multiplayer race on Motorsport, and you'll want to win. Its online version is more competitive, focusing on skill-based matchmaking and racing leagues that mimic professional racing circuits.
While Forza Horizon and Motorsport share the same DNA, they cater to distinctly different racing experiences. Horizon offers a more relaxed and exploratory experience thanks to its open world, while Motorsport is ideal for players seeking for true-to-like racing simulation.
Looking for more gaming content? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produces a range of blogs on various topics, such as The Best Car Games Arriving in 2024 and GTA VI: Best Places in Miami for a Car Race.
We are also one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers, offering a range of leasing deals to suit your every need. For more information, check out our leasing deals or call us at 0345 811 9595.
