Is Forza Horizon 4 worth it after Forza Horizon 5?

As a passionate racing gamer and content creator, I get asked this question a lot by my fans – should you still play FH4 after the newer, shinier FH5 has arrived?

My answer is a resounding yes! Here‘s why Forza Horizon 4 is absolutely still worth your precious gaming time in 2024:

FH4‘s Map Stands the Test of Time

I‘ve explored every inch of Horizon 4‘s rendition of Britain across scenic countrysides, historic cities like Edinburgh, and quaint coastal villages. Even 3 years later, the map continues surprising me with striking vistas and fun locales I haven‘t discovered yet.

Sure, FH5‘s Mexico map is 50% bigger at over 80 miles wide. And offers increased diversity with around 50 unique biomes spanning tropical beaches, active volcanoes and arid deserts. But FH4‘s map delivers plenty of environments itself to satisfy hours of exploration and roadtripping escapism!

Hundreds of Cars, Endless Customization

While FH5 boasts over 600 cars to FH4‘s already ample 450+, the insane level of customization possible in Horizon 4 keeps me coming back to those British country roads. By now, I probably have over 100 hours just testing crazy tunes and adjusting gear ratios to perfect acceleration out of corners! Not to mention the visual customization – FH4 was when the series introduced the powerful Decal Editor for putting your own designer touch on builds.

So if you love tricking out hot rods like me, rest assured you‘ll have endless fun doing it in Horizon 4.

Offline Play Means Timeless Lifespan

This might be the most crucial factor keeping FH4 evergreen years later – its excellent offline modes. Once support ends for online multiplayer and other live services, most modern games fade quickly.

But thanks to FH4‘s thriving open world filled with activities like stunt jumps, speed traps, collectibles and stories, you‘ll reliably have new solo adventures for hundreds of hours after the servers go quiet.

Whereas FH5 is still actively updated, meaning you never know what bugs or issues each patch might introduce unexpectedly! With FH4 being more "feature complete", it promises a smooth, unchanging gameplay experience.

Affordability Makes it An Even Better Value

Lastly, FH4 frequently goes on steep discounts making it super affordable for newcomers even years after launch. In fact, you can often find the base game bundled with DLC for only $20-30!

Compare that to brand-new FH5 still costing $60+ for the basic package. Given how much content is packed in Horizon 4 already, that represents fantastic value at a budget price point.

So is FH4 worth playing in 2024 with FH5 out? Absolutely! Its classic map, customization depth and offline stability make Horizon 4 a rewarding, reliable racing adventure. Especially considering the wallet-friendly discounts it sees consistently.

Let me know if you have any other questions about how Forza Horizon 4 holds up down in the comments! I‘m here to provide my expert takes as an avid racing fan.