World Map & Navigation
Navigating the expansive and beautiful world of Southern Europe in Forza Horizon 2 is key to your success and enjoyment. The in-game map is your primary tool for locating events, collectibles, and points of interest. Mastering its features will streamline your Horizon Festival experience.
Accessing the World Map
To bring up the World Map, simply press the Menu button on your Xbox controller. This will pause the action and present you with an overhead view of the entire game world, stretching across the picturesque landscapes of France and Italy.
Map Interface Overview
The World Map is rich with information, represented by various icons and color-coding:
- Your Current Location: Always marked by a prominent arrow, indicating your car's position and direction.
- Horizon Festival Hubs: Large, distinct icons representing the main festival sites where you can change cars, access garages, and start championships.
- Event Icons: These are color-coded to indicate their status:
- Green: Available events you haven't started yet.
- Yellow: Events you've started but haven't completed.
- Blue: Events you've completed.
- Road Trip Destinations: Marked by unique icons, these are crucial for progressing through the main storyline and unlocking new championships.
- Collectibles:
- Barn Finds: Represented by a distinctive barn icon, these indicate areas where a classic car might be hidden.
- Bonus Boards: Small, circular icons that offer XP or fast travel discounts when smashed.
- Rivals Events: Indicated by specific icons, these allow you to challenge other players' ghost data on various routes.
- Car Meets: Designated locations where you can connect with other players, show off your rides, and join convoys.
Setting a GPS Destination
The in-game GPS system is invaluable for reaching your desired location efficiently. Follow these steps:
- Open the Map: Press the Menu button.
- Select Destination: Use the left analog stick to move the cursor over the desired icon (e.g., an event, a Barn Find rumor, or just a spot on the road).
- Set Waypoint: Press the A button to set it as your GPS destination. A clear, colored line will appear on your mini-map and in the world, guiding you directly to your target.
- Cancel Waypoint: If you wish to remove a set waypoint, simply open the map again and press the A button on the active waypoint icon.
Fast Travel
Fast Travel is a powerful tool for quickly moving across the map, especially useful for reaching distant events or collectibles. Initially, fast travel is limited, but it expands as you progress:
- To Horizon Festival Hubs: You can always fast travel to any unlocked Horizon Festival Hub for a small fee.
- Anywhere on the Map: To unlock the ability to fast travel to any point on the map, you must purchase the "Fast Travel Anywhere" perk. This perk is typically found within the Car Perks menu, usually requiring a certain number of Skill Points to unlock. Once unlocked, you can select any point on the map and initiate fast travel, though a small fee will still apply unless you smash all Fast Travel Bonus Boards.
- Fast Travel Boards: Look for the purple "Fast Travel" Bonus Boards scattered across the map. Each one you smash reduces the cost of fast travel. Smashing all 100 of these boards will make fast travel completely free!
Mini-Map Usage
While driving, the mini-map in the bottom-left corner of your screen provides crucial real-time navigation information:
- GPS Line: If you have a destination set, a clear line will guide you along the optimal route.
- Nearby Icons: Important nearby points of interest, such as events, collectibles, and speed traps, will appear on the mini-map as you approach them.
- Traffic: Other vehicles on the road are also displayed, helping you anticipate potential collisions.
Always keep an eye on your mini-map, especially during races, to anticipate upcoming turns and avoid missing critical checkpoints.