Forza Horizon 5: here's how to unlock online mode

Playground Games released the newest addition to the Forza Horizon trilogy recently; Forza Horizon 5, as TopGear.com discovered, is still "as brilliant as ever". More brilliant still is the option to humiliate/get humiliated via the medium of online multiplayer. Here’s how to get there in five easy* steps.

*maybe

Never played any of the Forza games before? Get to know your controls. Like a good Spielberg movie, you’ll be dropped straight into the game from the outset so it's best to prepare yourself as this high action intro is one to be remembered. You’ll have the option for different views ranging from first person, cockpit, bonnet ('hood'), bumper, follow low and high. The controls follow the majority of racing game formats with a few added extras including the ability to rewind - which may or may not become your best friend.

That's right, you go full Fast and Furious here as you're literally dropped from the sky straight into sunny Mexico. You'll be driving cars ranging from a Ford Bronco to a Corvette to a Porsche, finishing off with a Mercedes-AMG. Along the way you’ll be met with other cars that will later be available in the game joining you in your race to the Festival. You’ll be met with your first ever sandstorm, rivers full of flamingos and a few other surprises...

Customise yourself with preset options, or go one step further and customise your hair style, hair colour, identity, voice and even prosthetics. You’ll then have the option to choose from one of three cars: a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe, Ford Bronco or Toyota GR Supra. Don't worry, though - later on you'll have access to a dizzying array of motors as you progress. You also have the option of personalising your own plate, so you can, let's say 'stand out' when playing online later with friends.

In order to gain more accolade points in the game and level up, you’ll need to complete races first. If you’re worried about difficulty you can change this in the settings. There are five different types of race in Forza Horizon 5: road racing, street racing, drag racing, dirt racing and cross country racing. Once you’ve completed between five-10 races you’ll unlock ‘Horizon Life’ which you’ll find in the menu.

Welcome to online! Once you’ve completed a few races you now have the ability to start/join convoys, play in solo mode, challenge strangers to races and compete in races with all your friends. You’ll also pass your fellow Horizon friends on the road despite them being offline from time to time and even be able to see their customised cars.