Forza Horizon 4 (2018) is a thrilling racing game where you race all manner of vehicles across a wide range of landscapes. This fourth iteration is set in the United Kingdom, with Edinburgh’s narrow streets, the Lake District’s hills and rainfall and the Cotswolds’ historic villages.

There may be 420 cars to earn and race against other players, but it’s the world you race through that stands out. Seasons change, leaves fall, lakes freeze or the summer heat shines off the tarmac. Each day the sun rises and sets, and different weather blows in to complete the sense of immersion.

This isn’t just a world to race in but one to freely explore. Uniquely in racing games, this is distracting enough to make players pull over and just watch the view changing in front of them.

Challenging family members to set the fastest times on particular challenges and races is a popular way to enjoy the game together. Finding the right place to break, or the racing line that saves seconds, parents and children egg each other on to improve their times and get a genuine understanding of driving and racing mechanics along the way. Forza Horizon 4 also has a battle royale mode called ‘The Eliminator’. 72 drivers compete against each other in frantic head-to-head races where only one driver can come out on top.

With its changing weather, day–night cycle and beautiful British landscape, there’s also considerable enjoyment to be had from finding the best views and sharing them with each other. Then there’s a Forza Horizon 4 Lego Speed Champions purchasable add-on that turns the cars and landscape into Lego. Families and younger drivers enjoy exploring the Lego valley and collecting bricks for items in their Lego house and garage.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Forza Horizon 4 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 11 days ago.