Playground Games largely led the way in pioneering a new subgenre with its epic open-world racer,Forza Horizonin 2012. Since then, they’ve managed to rev things up, decking out their already dynamic formula with their Xbox One sequels.
By the time they released the fourth rendition to this renowned series in 2018, the studio had truly excelled in polishing and fleshing out this successful core. Thanks to the vast, vibrant environments, tons of diverse content, and near-photorealistic visuals, gamers could experience this thrilling racer in its most enhanced, realistic form ever. Despite the seemingly endless fun contentForza 4offers though, there’s bound to be a yearning for some similar racers and driving games. It’s tough to match the rich, one-of-a-kind gameplay thatFH4offers, to be sure.
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Still, whether it be that stellar blend of arcade and sim racing or the more dynamic sandbox structure, there are definitely some that approximate the thrilling experience in some fashion.
Updated August 30th, 2021 by Stephen LaGioia:Forza Horizon hype has revved into high gear once again with the announcement of theeven more gorgeous and expansive FH5 for Xbox series X/S, which will explore the lush, diverse landscapes of Mexico. Still, the fourth game in this open-world racing franchise continues to flourish and impress with its exhilarating speed and wealth of appealing gameplay. For those who have been won over by the sandbox racing formula and yearn for more FH-esque titles—we decided to tune up this piece and take it into overdrive with even more games similar to Forza Horizon 4.
18Dirt 4
Those who fancy the exhilaration ofFH4’s speedy street and drag races are almost sure to get a kick out of this 2017 driving romp. The popular rally-themed racer from Codemasters manages to respect its appealing roots while going above and beyond with new features and more depth than ever.
Among the new inclusions inDirt4are a variety of awesome new cars, well-crafted rallycross circuits—and a new feature called “Your Stage.” This addition amps up the already healthy replay value by producing procedurally generated rally stages based on player-selected conditions. This keeps the experience feels fresh as well as unpredictably fun.
17SnowRunner
At least when it comes to the ample off-road bouts offered byFH4,this free-wheeling simfrom Saber Interactive should satisfy that same itch with its comparable gameplay. Released in early 2020, this game draws upon the sandbox foundations of that franchise while exploring some new terrain, granting an experience both familiar and unique.
Players are tasked with delivering cargo to different locations while traversing rough, off-road terrain. This is done in a variety of trucks that are generally well-equipped for the bumpy ride. The game also offers a similarly organic feel with a dynamic system of weather, vehicle damage,and deep customization as players progress through various missions.
16Cyberpunk 2077
Taking a turn into more unorthodox territory—thisdystopian sci-fi ARPGmay seem like a far cry from the more relaxed, realistic racer that isFH4. Still, even outside of its comparable deep gameplay and open-world elements, there are moments where CD Projekt Red really does capture thatForzafeel.
This comes in the form of the game’s ample driving portions, which blend frantic arcade gameplay with the nuance and free-roaming found in sandbox romps. The developers have blurred the lines even further in early 2021,with a mod that improves the fairly shaky driving and car handling mechanics, giving a more refined open-world racing vibe. While it may lack that serene feel ofForza’s natural landscapes, zipping through the bustling neon streets of Night City proves similarly thrilling.
15Driver: San Francisco
Featuring a comatose protagonist with the ability to possess most drivers in the game’s titular city,Driver: San Franciscouses its absurd central mechanic to craft one of the most insane and freeing racers ever conceived.
While the central plot is nothing to write home about, the “Shift” system is a godsend that turns the game’s open-world into the ultimate sandbox.Driver: San Franciscocould have benefitted from having more missions or side content, but this arcade racer can easily matchForza Horizon 4when it comes to sheer madness.
14Midnight Club: Los Angeles
Rockstar might bemostly known for its story-driven epics, but the studio used to have a racing franchise in its back pocket.Midnight Clubwas a staple of the console racing scene for close to a decade, withLos Angelesbeing its final entry.
A challenging arcade racer with visuals that still look decent in 2021,Midnight Club: LosAngelesgets its handling spot on, with each of its 40+ vehicles feeling unique. Rockstar’s expertise in crafting immersive open-worlds is on full display here, as the game’s Los Angeles is a sight to behold and experience.
13Grid
With theF1andDirtgames, Codemasters has cemented itself as perhaps the definitive racing developer of the last few years. TheGridseries is not quite as consistent as the studio’s flagship properties, but all four of its entries should be able to find a home with arcade racing fans.Grid(2019) is a decent place to start, while Nintendo Switch owners can do much worse thanGrid Autosport. 2008’sRace Driver: Gridis also still fantastic.
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TheGridgames lackForza Horizon 4’s explorative map, as the series utilizes an events-based structure that is split into different categories and disciplines. What Codemaster’s franchise delivers is some of the most thrilling and frantic races of its genre, all framed through an accessible Career mode that covers a respectable range of vehicles.
12Need for Speed Heat
EA’sNeed for Speedspent the eighth console generation treading water, as newer entries struggled to live up to the property’s reputation.Need for Speed Heatis far from the series' greatest achievement, but it represents a solid step in the right direction.
Palm City, which is inspired by Miami, is the star of the show here. The world reflects the in-your-face nature synonymous withNeed for Speed’s most recent entries, and the game uses a day/night cycle to great effect. The handling is unsurprisingly very responsive, which is to be expected of EA’s license.
11Test Drive Unlimited 2
Released in 2011,Test Drive Unlimited 2primarily takes place on the island of Ibiza, a playground that proves to be a splendid setting for an open-world racer. While the game’s servers have long since closed down,Test Drive Unlimited 2is not devoid of single-player content, making it a worthwhile purchase more than a decade after its release.
Test Drive Unlimited 2is not quite as satisfying to play asForza Horizon 4, mainly due to its handling being a touch more frustrating to master. However, this ambitious project can be rewarding for those willing to invest the time.
10RISE: Race The Future
Much like open-world racing games, futuristic arcade racers aren’t easy to come by—but this high-intensity romp has players covered.
Like theHorizonseries—with perhapsa tinge of the classicF-Zero—this thrilling racer contains a healthy dose of adrenaline-pumping speed and chaos. This title stresses arcade-style sensibilities rather than the tougher, more nuanced mechanics of a racing sim. While it isn’t open-world, the ability to floor it to absurd speeds and pull off feats like speeding through water is reminiscent ofHorizon’s crazy action-hero moments.
9Just Cause 4
Avalanche Studios’Just Causeseries largely did to the action genre what Playground did for racers - adding depth and huge environments, granting the player greater freedom. This delightful action romp uses a sophisticated system of physics, thanks to the studio’s refined Apex engine, which sets the foundation for a deep experience.
LikeHorizon, players can control a slew of diverse vehicles and wreak havoc on their surroundings. Unlike that racing-centric title, though, the latest installment ofJust Causeblends in tons of other activities and mechanics as well. Players can cobble together various vehicles and gadgets, engage in shooting missions, or fly around in an amusing wingsuit. Just watch out for the weather conditions, which can turn from sunshine to an ominous storm quite quickly!
