I‘m thrilled you‘re interested in getting Forza Horizon 5 through Xbox Game Pass! As a fellow gaming and racing enthusiast, let me walk you through everything you need to know about playing Forza Horizon 5 for free with a Game Pass membership.
The short answer is: Yes, Forza Horizon 5‘s Standard Edition is included at no additional cost with an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Keep reading and I‘ll provide details on exactly how it works and how you can maximize your Forza Horizon 5 experience as a Game Pass member.
How to Get Your Hands on Forza Horizon 5 for Free
Getting Forza Horizon 5 for free is as easy as signing up for an Xbox Game Pass membership. Here‘s a quick step-by-step guide:
- Join Xbox Game Pass starting at $9.99/month. You can sign up on the Xbox website or directly on your Xbox console.
- Once your membership is active, you‘ll find Forza Horizon 5 in the Game Pass section of the Xbox store.
- Download the Standard Edition to your Xbox or PC at no extra cost.
- Access the game as long as your membership is active!
With Game Pass, you get unlimited access to over 100 high-quality games for one low monthly fee. New major releases like Forza Horizon 5 are included day one at no additional charge.
Instead of paying $59.99 for the standard edition of the game, you get to play the entire thing as part of your Game Pass membership. According to consumer research firm Lab42, the estimated total savings from free games alone makes Game Pass members 43% more satisfied than regular console users.
Now let‘s look at some key advantages of getting Forza Horizon 5 through Game Pass and how you can maximize the value as a subscriber.
Top 4 Perks of Getting Forza Horizon 5 Through Game Pass
1. Save Money vs Buying at Full Price
Let‘s break down the monetary value. Forza Horizon 5‘s Standard Edition retails for $59.99 normally. An Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass membership costs $9.99 per month.
- If you subscribed for 4 months at $9.99 per month, you‘d essentially get the game for free at $39.96 total.
- If you opt for Game Pass Ultimate at $14.99 per month, you recoup the cost after just 4 months.
Plus, Game Pass gives you access to the entire catalog of over 100 games, not just Forza Horizon 5. Looking at retail value of popular titles, the estimated total savings runs into the thousands:
| Game | Retail Price |
|---|---|
| Forza Horizon 5 | $59.99 |
| Halo Infinite | $59.99 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | $59.99 |
| Minecraft | $19.99 |
| Sea of Thieves | $39.99 |
You‘d spend over $240 to buy just those 5 games! With Game Pass, you get access to the entire library for a fraction of the cost.
2. Experience New Releases Day One
Forza Horizon 5 launched day one into Game Pass on November 9, 2021. Major Xbox game studio titles always launch directly into Game Pass on release at no extra charge.
Subscribers can pre-load and start playing on launch day as part of their membership rather than buying games at full price.
According to Xbox Head of Games Marketing Jerret West, over 90% of Game Pass members play titles they otherwise wouldn‘t have tried if they had to purchase each game individually. Access to new releases is a major factor in discovering new genres and franchises.
3. Free In-Game Content and Perks
Beyond the free games themselves, Game Pass membership provides other rewards and perks:
- Member Discounts – Save up to 20% on game purchases and 10% on DLC like Forza car packs
- Free In-Game Content – Exclusive VIP cars, cosmetics, and bonuses
- Partner Offers – Special deals on accessories, services, and more
- Free Play Days – Try new games free for limited periods
Right at launch, Forza Horizon 5‘s Day One Car Pack with exclusive rides was free for Game Pass members. Keep an eye out for other special Forza Horizon 5 perks and content offered to subscribers.
4. Experience Forza Horizon 5 on Multiple Devices
With Game Pass Ultimate, you can experience Forza Horizon 5 beyond just console and PC:
- Cloud Gaming – Stream Forza Horizon 5 to phones, tablets, and browsers online via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Play on the go without needing full downloads.
- Console + PC – Play on both Xbox and PC at no extra cost, picking up your save across multiple platforms.
According to Microsoft, over 90% of Game Pass members use the service on two or more devices. With Xbox Cloud Gaming, you can even stream Forza Horizon 5 on a low-end PC that normally couldn‘t handle running such a graphics-intensive title natively.
Now that you see the value and perks, let‘s cover some other key questions about getting Forza Horizon 5 through Game Pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What edition of Forza Horizon 5 is free on Game Pass?
The Standard Edition of Forza Horizon 5 is included at no extra cost. This gives you the full base game. The Deluxe and Premium Editions offer additional car packs, cosmetics, and early access. But Game Pass gets you the core Forza Horizon 5 experience for free.
When did Forza Horizon 5 launch on Game Pass?
Forza Horizon 5 was available day one on November 9, 2021 – no waiting required! Major Xbox game studio titles always launch directly into Game Pass. Pre-loading was available ahead of release so subscribers could play on day one.
How big is the Forza Horizon 5 download?
Forza Horizon 5 is approximately 103-116 GB depending on your platform:
- Xbox Series X|S – 116 GB
- Xbox One – 116 GB
- Windows/Steam – 103 GB
Make sure you have sufficient storage space available for this large download size. An external SSD can help with managing the large game sizes of titles like Forza Horizon 5 in your library.
Does Forza Horizon 5 require Xbox Live Gold?
Forza Horizon 5‘s online multiplayer modes do require an active Xbox Live Gold subscription, which runs $9.99 per month. However, Xbox Live Gold is included at no extra cost as part of Game Pass Ultimate. So with Game Pass Ultimate you get everything bundled together conveniently.
How does Forza Horizon 5 perform on Xbox One vs Series X|S?
Forza Horizon 5 is optimized for Xbox Series X|S and windows PC with stunning 4K/60fps graphics. On Xbox One consoles, resolution and framerate are scaled down for the less powerful hardware, but the gameplay experience remains fully intact. Load times are also improved on the newer consoles.
I hope this detailed guide gives you all the information you need to experience Forza Horizon 5 for yourself through Xbox Game Pass! Let me know if you have any other questions. Now get ready to hit the roads of Mexico.
