Online Multiplayer Modes
Forza Horizon 2 offers a robust online multiplayer experience, allowing you to connect with friends and other players across the beautiful European landscape. Engaging in online activities is not only a fantastic way to test your driving skills against real opponents but also a great source of XP and credits. This section will guide you through the various online modes and offer strategies to dominate the competition.
Accessing Online Play
There are two primary ways to jump into the online action:
- From the World Map: Navigate to the World Map and look for the "Online" tab. Selecting this will present you with options to join or create online sessions.
- Horizon Hub: The Horizon Hub, accessible from your garage or by pressing the Menu button (Xbox One controller), also provides a direct portal to online modes. Look for the "Online" section within the Hub.
Online Free Roam
Online Free Roam is your open playground with other players. It's a seamless experience where you can drive around the entire map, challenge others, and participate in spontaneous events. This is an excellent starting point for new online players to get accustomed to the multiplayer environment.
- Joining a Session:
- From the "Online" menu, select "Online Free Roam."
- The game will automatically search for an available session or create a new one if none are suitable.
- Once loaded, you'll be dropped into the open world alongside up to 11 other players.
- Strategies for Free Roam:
- Horizon Online Road Trips: These are dynamically generated events that pop up periodically. They involve a series of races or challenges across different locations. Always participate in these for significant XP and credit bonuses.
- Head-to-Head Challenges: If you see another player, you can challenge them to a spontaneous race by driving up behind them and pressing the designated button (usually 'A'). This is a quick way to earn some extra cash and bragging rights.
- Car Meets: Keep an eye out for Car Meets on your map. These are social hubs where You can show off their custom cars, download liveries, and even engage in impromptu drag races.
- Skill Chains: Online Free Roam is perfect for building massive skill chains. Drift, jump, and smash your way to high scores, which contribute to your overall XP and can lead to Wheelspins.
Online Road Trip
The Online Road Trip is the structured competitive backbone of Forza Horizon 2's online experience. These are multi-event championships that take you and a group of other players across various locations and event types.
- Initiating an Online Road Trip:
- From the "Online" menu, select "Online Road Trip."
- You'll be presented with a choice of car classes (e.g., S1, A, B). Choose the class that best suits your garage and driving style.
- The game will then match you with other players and initiate the Road Trip.
- Road Trip Structure:
- Each Road Trip consists of 3-5 events, which can include traditional circuit races, point-to-point sprints, cross-country events, and even Playground Games.
- Between events, players will drive in a convoy to the next location. This is a great opportunity to interact with other players and enjoy the scenery.
- Points are awarded based on your finishing position in each event. You with the most points at the end of the Road Trip wins the overall championship.
- Winning Strategies for Road Trips:
- Car Selection: Choose a car that is well-tuned for the selected class. A balanced car with good acceleration, top speed, and handling will serve you well across diverse event types. Consider having multiple cars tuned for different classes.
- Adaptability: Be prepared for various event types. A car that excels on tarmac might struggle in a cross-country race, so adjust your driving style accordingly.
- Clean Driving: While aggressive driving can sometimes pay off, consistent clean driving will minimize penalties and keep you in contention. Avoid excessive contact with other players.
- Learn the Routes: Familiarity with the game's map and common race routes will give you a significant advantage. Practice offline to master corners and find optimal racing lines.
Playground Games
Playground Games offer a more casual, objective-based online experience, focusing on fun and teamwork (or competitive chaos!). These modes are often integrated into Online Road Trips but can also be accessed directly.
- Available Playground Games:
- King: One player is designated "King" and must avoid being tagged by other players. The goal is to hold the crown for as long as possible.
- Infected: Similar to tag, one or more players are "infected" and must infect others by ramming their cars. The last uninfected player wins.
- Flag Rush: Teams compete to capture flags scattered across the map and bring them back to their base. This requires coordination and strategic driving.
- Tips for Playground Games:
- Agility is Key: For modes like King and Infected, a nimble and fast car with good acceleration is often more beneficial than a top-speed monster.
- Teamwork (Flag Rush): In Flag Rush, communicate with your team if possible. Designate drivers to capture flags and others to defend your base.
- Environmental Awareness: Use the environment to your advantage. Obstacles, jumps, and tight corners can help you evade pursuers or catch opponents.