Forza Horizon 4: where to buy in - all methods, prices and nuances

Introduction: Why is Forza Horizon 4 Still Relevant in 2026?

Forza Horizon 4 - a cult racing game from Playground Games, released in 2018, but has not lost popularity and demand even after 6 years. The reasons for this longevity lie in the unique atmosphere of British landscapes, dynamic gameplay and regular content updates (until 2023). Unlike Forza Horizon 5, the fourth installment offers more balanced physics, lower system requirements and nostalgic detailing - from changing seasons to legendary cars.

However, buying a game in 2026 has its own nuances: official stores are gradually curtailing sales, and dubious offers with “cheap” keys appear on the market. In this guide we will look at all legal ways to purchase, we’ll compare prices, tell you about the pitfalls and give you a checklist for a safe transaction. We will pay special attention to issues of compatibility with modern operating systems (Windows 11) and new generation consoles (Xbox Series X|S).

Official purchasing methods: where you are guaranteed to get a license

The only way to buy Forza Horizon 4 with a guarantee of activation and without the risk of blocking - these are official platforms. In 2026 the game is available through:

• 🎮 Microsoft Store — digital version for Xbox and PC (via Xbox App). Supports cross-play and cloud saves.
• 💻 Steam - PC version with integration into the Steam library, but requires installation of the Xbox App to launch.
• 🕹️ Xbox Game Pass - subscription including FH4 in a standard package (from 499 ₽/month).

Important: from July 15, 2026 Forza Horizon 4 disappeared from the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate catalog, but remains in the basic version of Game Pass for consoles. If you are planning to buy the game as your own, pay attention to regional restrictions: Some keys from the Microsoft Store are not activated in Russia and the CIS countries due to sanctions restrictions.

Forza Horizon 4 prices in 2026: comparison table

The cost of the game varies depending on the platform, version and availability of DLC. Below are the current prices for June 2026 (excluding discounts):

Discounts on Forza Horizon 4 appear rarely, but you can monitor them through services IsThereAnyDeal or GG.deals. Please note: Ultimate Edition includes all DLC (including Fortune Island and LEGO Speed Champions), but its sales have officially ceased - resellers may have leftovers.

Buying keys from resellers: risks and how to avoid them

Many players are looking for Forza Horizon 4 cheaper on sites like Eneba, Kinguin or G2A. However, such keys often have dubious origins: they could have been obtained through regional discounts (Argentine/Turkish accounts), stolen, or purchased in bulk through affiliate programs. Risks:

• ⚠️ Key blocking after 1–6 months (if fraudulent purchases are detected).
• ⚠️ Region-specific - the key may not be activated in your country.
• ⚠️ Lack of support - Microsoft will not help if the key turns out to be counterfeit.

If you still decide to buy from a reseller, follow the checklist:

⚠️ Attention: Keys from Latin American regions (AR, BR, MX) are often blocked when trying to activate in Russia. Even if the seller claims that the "key is global", check this with Microsoft support up to purchases.

Forza Horizon 4 on Xbox Series X|S: Compatibility and Improvements

The game is fully compatible with new generation consoles thanks to the Xbox Backward Compatibility. On Xbox Series X Forza Horizon 4 works in mode:

• 🎮 4K/60 FPS - with improved textures and stable frame rates.
• 🔄 Fast loading - startup time reduced by 40% compared to Xbox One X.
• 🎧 3D audio - Dolby Atmos support for more realistic sound.

However, there are nuances:

1. Add. content (DLC) may not install automatically - check the section Game management → Add-ons.
2. Cloud saves only work with an active subscription Xbox Live Gold (or Game Pass Ultimate).

How to transfer saves from Xbox One to Series X?

1. Make sure both consoles are linked to the same Microsoft account. 2. On your old console, upload your save to the cloud via Settings → System → Storage → Cloud saving. 3. On the new console, sync data in the same menu.

If the saves do not appear, try starting the game in offline mode, then connect to the network again.

System requirements for PC in 2026: what has changed?

The official requirements from Microsoft remain the same, but taking into account Windows 11 updates and new drivers, there are adjustments:

Component	Minimal (2018)	Featured (2026)
OS	Windows 10 (1803)	Windows 10/11 (22H2 or later)
Processor	Intel i3-4170 / AMD FX-6300	Intel i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Video card	NVIDIA GTX 650 Ti / AMD R7 250X	NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580
RAM	8 GB	16 GB (for stable operation with the mod)

Features of launching on modern PCs:

• 🖥️ On video cards NVIDIA RTX 40-series possible artifacts - need to be disabled DLSS in the game settings.
• 🔌 Manual installation may be required for AMD Ryzen 7000 DirectX 12 Ultimate through Xbox App → Settings → General → Advanced Features.

⚠️ Attention: If an error appears during startup 0x80070005, this means there is a permissions problem. Solution: run Xbox App and play as administrator, then reinstall the package Microsoft Gaming Services.

Alternative ways to play without purchasing: legal and not so legal

If purchase Forza Horizon 4 is not included in your plans, there are several options:

1. Xbox Game Pass (1 month for 1 ₽) — Microsoft regularly holds promotions for new users. Subscription includes FH4 and other games in the series.
2. Cloud Gaming (xCloud) — the streaming version of the game is available through a browser or application Xbox on Android/iOS. Requires stable internet (from 10 Mbit/s).
3. Share Play (Xbox) - if a friend has a game, he can invite you to a session for 60 minutes (function Playing together in the friends menu).

We will not cover illegal methods (pirated builds, repacks), but we will warn: in 2026 Microsoft is actively blocking accounts with pirated versions Forza, especially if they're connected to Xbox Live. Risks include:

• 🚫 Permanent account blocking Microsoft (including access to Office 365 and OneDrive).
• 🛡️ Blocking by IP address for online games.
• 💻 Viruses in repacks (especially from groups DODI or FitGirl - often contain miners).

💡

The only safe way to play for free is with Xbox Game Pass. Even after canceling your subscription, you will still have access to your purchased DLC if you purchased it separately.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about purchasing Forza Horizon 4

Can I buy Forza Horizon 4 on physical disc?

Official sales of discs ceased in 2021. You can find used copies on the secondary market (Avito, eBay), but:

• The disk requires mandatory installation of updates (weighing ~100 GB).
• DLC from the disc may not be activated if it was linked to another account.
• On Xbox Series X|S disk Xbox One It will work, but the game will be installed in the version for the new generation.

What should I do if the key is not activated in the Microsoft Store?

Follow the algorithm:

1. Check your Microsoft account region (must match the key region).
2. Clear store cache: click Win + R, enter wsreset.exe and restart your PC.
3. Try activating the key via redeem.microsoft.com.
4. If the error 0x803F8001 — contact Microsoft support, indicating the error code and screenshot.

If the key was purchased from a reseller, contact them with a request for a refund (attach a screenshot of the error).

Is it worth buying Forza Horizon 4 in 2026 or is it better to buy FH5?

The choice depends on priorities:

Criterion	Forza Horizon 4	Forza Horizon 5
Graphics	Good (4K/30 FPS)	Better (4K/60 FPS, Radiant)
Physics	More realistic	Simplified (arcade style)
Content	Britain, 450+ cars	Mexico, 500+ cars, but less DLC
Price	From 1,200 ₽	From 2,500 ₽ (standard edition)

If you care atmosphere and deep tuning, take it FH4. For modern graphics and multiplayer - FH5.

Is it possible to play Forza Horizon 4 without the Internet?

Yes, but with reservations:

• On PC offline mode is available after the first launch with the Internet (the game checks the license).
• On Xbox You need to set your console as "home" (Settings → General → Personal Settings → My Home Xbox).
• Unavailable without internet: online races, car auction and weekly events.

How to transfer saves from PC to Xbox?

Cross-save between platforms not supported. However there is a workaround:

1. Create a backup copy of your saves on your PC (folder %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.SunriseBaseGame_8wekyb3d8bbwe\SystemAppData\wgs).
2. Copy the files to the USB flash drive and connect it to the Xbox (required developer mode, which violates the terms of use).

⚠️ Attention: This method can lead to account blocking for changing game files. It is officially not possible to transfer saves between PC and Xbox.