The latest episode of Let's Go! has just streamed, giving players a chance to glimpse some more of the new locations in Forza Horizon 5.
The next instalment in the Forza Horizon series will feature a 50% larger map than the previous edition. Creative director Mike Brown and associate art director Conar Cross talked us through some of the biomes we'll find in Mexico.
Coastal areas and Horizon Apex
Forza Horizon 5 will feature two distinct coasts. The east of the map will be the tropical coast, with the west being the rocky coast. These will be quite different, with details including the water, the palm trees and other foliage being distinct to that locality.
The rocky coast is bordered by the living desert area, where cacti burst out of the sand, which appears to be the location of one of the festival sites.
This site will be called Horizon Apex and will be focused on road racing and high performance street cars.
The volcano
The centrepiece of the Forza Horizon 5 map will be the volcano. This is the largest geographic feature yet seen in a Forza game and the peak is the highest altitude of any Horizon map. Naturally, a danger sign shows the quick route down.
Head up the volcano and roads deteriorate. Cracks emerge, potholes are visible and eventually the tarmac gives way to cobbles. In winter, rain becomes snow as you head further uphill. The caldera of the volcano freezes over in winter. It's also the location of a volcano research centre, which we expect will be a part of one of the Horizon stories.
Rural Mexico in Forza Horizon 5
The Playground Games team are also showing off the rural scenery. A swamp area surrounds the ruins of Ekʼ Balam. moving into the swamp, smashable mangrove roots reach into the sapphire blue water. Wooden walkways from the real world swamps of Mexico are into drivable routes in-game.
We also got a glimpse of the wildlife of Forza Horizon 5: wild dogs roam the rural sections. We've yet to see any of the big horned sheep Mike Brown mentioned in the first Let's Go!