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Forza Horizon 3 – Complete Game Guide, Features & Information

Forza Horizon 3 is the third installment in the award-winning Forza Horizon series. Developed by Playground Games and published by Microsoft Studios, it transports players to a massive open-world recreation of Australia, featuring over 350 licensed vehicles, dynamic weather, online multiplayer, and the ability to create and manage your own Horizon Festival.


Release Date

  • September 27, 2016

Price

Forza Horizon 3 has been delisted from official digital storefronts due to expired licensing agreements.

Typical second-hand prices:

  • Xbox One physical edition: $20–50 USD
  • PC digital keys (where available): Prices vary significantly depending on availability.

Platforms

  • PC (Microsoft Store – Windows)
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S (Backward Compatible)

System Requirements (PC)

Minimum

  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit, Anniversary Update)
  • CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 or Intel Core i5-750
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti or AMD R7 250X
  • Storage: 55 GB available space
  • DirectX: Version 12

Recommended

  • OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
  • CPU: Intel Core i7-3820 or AMD Ryzen 5 equivalent
  • RAM: 12–16 GB
  • GPU: GTX 1060 / RX 480 or better
  • Storage: SSD recommended

Where to Buy

Although no longer sold digitally through Microsoft, you may find legitimate copies from:

  • Physical Xbox game retailers
  • Used game stores
  • Authorized key resellers (for remaining unused digital codes)

Account Safety

Forza Horizon 3 is intended to be played using your own Microsoft/Xbox account. Buying or selling game accounts is not officially supported and may violate Microsoft’s Terms of Service. The safest approach is to purchase a legitimate copy of the game and use your own account.


Mods

Official Support

Forza Horizon 3 does not officially support gameplay mods.

Offline Modifications

There is no official modding framework. The PC version supports community-created:

  • Custom liveries
  • Vinyl designs
  • Vehicle tuning setups
  • Blueprints through in-game sharing features

Online Mods & Cheats

Gameplay-altering modifications, save editors, or cheating tools are prohibited and can lead to online restrictions or account penalties.


Comparison With Similar Games

Game Setting Focus
Forza Horizon 3 Australia Open-world racing
Forza Horizon 4 United Kingdom Dynamic seasons
Forza Horizon 5 Mexico Massive open world
The Crew 2 United States Multi-discipline racing
Need for Speed Heat Palm City Street racing

Screenshots

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Achievement Guide

Popular achievements include:

  • Becoming Horizon Boss
  • Completing every Festival site
  • Winning Showcase Events
  • Discovering every road
  • Collecting rare vehicles
  • Completing Bucket List Blueprints
  • Winning online championships
  • Unlocking all Festival upgrades

How Long to Beat

Estimated completion times:

  • Main Story: 15–20 hours
  • Main Story + Extras: 35–50 hours
  • 100% Completion: 80–120 hours
  • All Achievements: 120–200+ hours

Achievement / Trophy Guide

Helpful tips:

  • Explore the entire map early
  • Complete every Festival expansion
  • Participate in online adventures
  • Finish Bucket List events
  • Build long skill chains
  • Upgrade a variety of vehicle classes

Steam Deck Compatibility

  • ⚠️ Not officially supported

Forza Horizon 3 was released exclusively through the Microsoft Store on PC and is not available on Steam. As a result, native Steam Deck support is unavailable, though some users experiment with Windows installations on Steam Deck.


Controller Support

  • Full Xbox controller support
  • Steering wheel compatibility on supported hardware
  • Optimized gamepad controls

Co-op Information

Features include:

  • Online Free Roam
  • Four-player campaign co-op
  • Multiplayer championships
  • Community events
  • Clubs
  • Rivals mode
  • Blueprint events

Split-screen multiplayer is not available.


Cross-Platform Support

Forza Horizon 3 supports:

  • Xbox Play Anywhere
  • Cross-play between Windows PC (Microsoft Store) and Xbox One
  • Shared multiplayer sessions across supported platforms
  • Cross-save between Xbox and Windows through Microsoft accounts

Similar Game Recommendations

Players who enjoy Forza Horizon 3 may also enjoy:

  • Forza Horizon 4
  • Forza Horizon 5
  • Forza Horizon 2
  • The Crew 2
  • Need for Speed Heat
  • Burnout Paradise Remastered

Frequently Asked Questions (12)

1. Is Forza Horizon 3 still available digitally?
No. It was delisted from the Microsoft Store in 2020 due to licensing expirations.

2. Can I still play Forza Horizon 3 today?
Yes. If you already own the game digitally or have a physical Xbox copy, you can continue to play it.

3. What platforms support Forza Horizon 3?
It is available on Xbox One and Windows PC through the Microsoft Store, and it is playable on Xbox Series X|S via backward compatibility.

4. Does Forza Horizon 3 support cross-play?
Yes. Players on Xbox One and Windows PC (Microsoft Store version) can play together.

5. Is split-screen available?
No. The game does not include local split-screen multiplayer.

6. Can I customize my vehicles?
Yes. The game features extensive performance tuning, visual customization, and community-created liveries.

7. Does Forza Horizon 3 include online multiplayer?
Yes. It supports online Free Roam, cooperative campaign play, championships, Rivals mode, and community events.

8. Are there achievements?
Yes. Xbox and Windows versions include a full achievement list covering exploration, races, online play, and progression.

9. Is Steam Deck supported?
No. Since the game is not available on Steam, it does not offer native Steam Deck compatibility.

10. Does the game support racing wheels?
Yes. Many compatible racing wheels are supported on Xbox and PC.

11. What makes Forza Horizon 3 unique?
Its Australian setting, Horizon Festival management system, cooperative campaign, and wide variety of road, off-road, and cross-country events distinguish it within the series.

12. Is Forza Horizon 3 still worth playing?
Absolutely. Its beautiful open world, diverse environments, outstanding vehicle selection, smooth driving mechanics, and strong multiplayer features make it one of the most highly regarded entries in the Forza Horizon franchise.