Is the Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle DLC worth it?
Best answer: No, not for many Forza Horizon 5 players. While Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels does look incredible, it's untested (and its sibling hasn't been announced, yet). If you're interested in experiencing everything Forza Horizon 5 has to offer right now, you're better off spending a little bit more to obtain the Premium Add-Ons Bundle DLC, which includes the Expansions Bundle and so much more, and is ultimately a better value.
Half of a bundle
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle is a tale of two halves, and only one of those halves is a known quantity. Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels is the open-world racing game's first DLC expansion, and it certainly appears to be an exciting and worthwhile addition to the world. The return of Hot Wheels to Forza Horizon brings a plethora of ambitious improvements and additional features to one of Xbox's best racing games, and players are looking at hours of new content to explore when it arrives.
Here's quick rundown of what players can expect from Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels, which officially releases on July 19, 2022:
- An all-new area with four unique, diverse biomes
- Over 120 miles of Hot Wheels tracks on which to race, with different track variants
- A standalone campaign that can be played in single-player or with friends in co-op
- 10 new cars, including four new-to-Forza Hot Wheels cars
- A ton of additional features, like a new Horizon Story, new events and races, additional Bonus Boards, collectibles, and Accolades, new EventLab props, and more
Still a dubious value
Of course, Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels still has to prove itself at release, and it alone cannot guarantee the value of the Expansions Bundle. The Hot Wheels expansion retails for $20, and it's reasonable to assume its yet-to-be-announced sibling will target the same price point. With the Expansions Bundle only granting a $5 discount, is it worth the cost?
It's no secret that Forza Horizon 5 features a colossal amount of content, with a map and world packed to the brim with ways to explore, things to do, and more. However, Playground Games has ambitious plans to expand Forza Horizon 5 after launch with free updates and two full-blown expansions. These expansions aren't included in the base game when buying Forza Horizon 5, but you can still purchase the Expansions Bundle DLC, which includes both.
However, the Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle DLC is relatively expensive compared to other DLCs — all of which provide immediate benefits right now — and nothing is known about one of the expansions included in the bundle. This means the value of the Expansions Bundle is dubious at best. Unless you're absolutely certain you'll want both DLC expansions, it may be best to wait a while before purchasing this bundle.
Additionally, if you are a committed Forza Horizon 5 player and know you want the expansions, you may be more interested in the Forza Horizon 5 Premium Add-Ons Bundle, which includes the Expansions Bundle and a ton of other DLC and additional content for only $15 more. This DLC gives you instant benefits when you first start playing Forza Horizon 5 and beyond, will include Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels at launch, and will include the second DLC expansion when it eventually releases.
Until Playground announces both of the Forza Horizon 5 expansions, many players may want to wait before buying the Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle, or spend a little extra to nab the Premium Add-Ons Bundle for considerably more content. This is especially true since the Expansions Bundle may go on sale at some point, cutting a little off the high price tag. Both expansions will also be available for standalone purchase, although buying them individually will likely cost a little more than just the Expansions Bundle.
What's included
Here's everything you need to know about the Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle, and what's included:
- Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels. Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle includes Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels, the first DLC expansion coming to FH5.
- Forza Horizon 5: Hot Wheels is officially releasing on July 19, 2022, and will add a new floating island with four diverse biomes, 10 new cars, a standalone single-player or co-op campaign, and plenty of new challenges, events, and races
- Forza Horizon 5 Expansion One is available as a standalone purchase, and through Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, and the Expansions Bundle
- Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Two. Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle includes Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Two, which is the second, as of yet unannounced, DLC expansion coming to FH5.
- Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Two has not been revealed yet, but will be included in Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle when it does eventually launch
- Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Two is available through Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, and the Expansions Bundle, but is not available as a standalone purchase (right now)
- Not included: The Forza Horizon 5 Expansions Bundle does not include any other DLCs or add-ons for FH5, like the VIP Membership, Welcome Pack, Car Pass, or Treasure Map. For the most complete collection of add-ons, you'll want the Forza Horizon 5 Premium Add-Ons Bundle.
