The Best Xbox Game Every Year 2001 - 2024

With every Xbox Showcase that rolls around, players not engaged in driving games will inevitably roll their eyes at the amount of time given to the Forza franchise. But with the franchise crossing the $1 billion revenue mark in 2017, it's no surprise that Microsoft has leaned so heavily on it over the years.

Forza Horizon was a big part of the franchise's continued success, crafting a series in its own right by taking drivers off the speedway and out into the hills of Colorado. Whilst open-world driving wasn't new, it hadn't been approached with the same degree of attention that the Forza brand demanded. Allowing racers to navigate mountain paths, winding foothills and the open road made for a totally different experience, which was all the sweeter thanks to Forza's trademark tightness in controls and depth of content.

This total shake-up of style,with finish lines for races now being randomly generated, and new game types like Cat and Mouse, was particularly welcomed by the online community. Horizon's more open-ended vibe allowed an entry point to those who were daunted by the intensity of motorsport and simply wanted to bomb around a beautiful rendering of the American countryside in over 200 potential vehicles.