in the world Forza Horizon 4 The time of day changes dynamically, following the real game schedule and the changing seasons. Many drivers wonder if it is possible to force night time to enjoy the atmosphere of racing under the light of headlights and the moon. Unlike some other simulators, there is no easy button in the pause menu to instantly switch to midnight.
However, there is a proven way to bypass this limitation and find yourself in the dark without waiting several hours for real time. Mechanism of changing seasons in the game is closely related to the cycles of day and night, and skillful use of this feature allows you to manipulate time. You can put on a drift show under the stars or test the LEDs on your tuned car.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all the legal methods of crossing at night, explain the difference between online and offline modes, and also talk about the effect of weather on visibility. Understanding these nuances will help you take perfect screenshots and enjoy driving in any conditions.
Features of cyclic time in the game
The game engine is based on a system where one complete cycle of changing seasons takes exactly four weeks of real time. Each season lasts seven days, and during these days the time of day changes automatically. Dynamic shift occurs smoothly: dawn gives way to day, then sunset and deep night. This creates a unique atmosphere, but limits the player's freedom to choose a specific hour.
It is important to understand that in online mode, time is synchronized for all session participants. You cannot change it individually for yourself while you are in the general world. Server time dictates the conditions for all riders at the same time. If it is noon on the server in the summer season, then night will come only through the game clock, regardless of your wishes.
However, the developers have provided mechanics that allow players in single-player mode or, subject to certain conditions online, to control the passage of time. This is done through the system change of seasons, which is available in the season selection menu. This tool is the key to managing the time of day.
⚠️ Note: Forced season changes are only available if you have not yet completed the Seasonal Championships weekly challenge in the current week for the selected season.
Every season in Forza Horizon 4 has its own unique characteristics that affect driving. In winter, the roads are covered with ice, in autumn - with leaves, and in summer and spring, conditions are most favorable for high-speed driving. Night time looks different in different seasons: a winter night is often clear and starry, while an autumn night can be foggy.
Basic method: change the season in the menu
The most reliable way to make a night is to use the “Create a new season” function in the main menu or through a pause in the game. This method only works in Horizon Solo mode or if you are the World Master and have not yet completed the Weekly Challenges. Go to the menu, select the “Create a new season” tab.
Here you will be asked to choose one of four seasons. If you select a season that has not yet been "played" this week, the game will restart with the start of that new season. The time of day when a new season starts is usually early morning or afternoon, but a quick transition can shift the cycle. However, there is an easier trick that involves waiting or re-entering if the target is night.
Players often use this algorithm: they check the current time online. If it's daytime, they go to the main menu, select "Single Player" and create a new season. Since the time loop in a single player game may start at different points or be synchronized differently, this can sometimes allow you to "jump" part of the day. But the most guaranteed method is to simply switch to Single Player mode, where time flows independently of the servers.
It’s worth noting that you can’t just switch seasons endlessly. The game remembers which season you have already “played”. Shift limits strictly valid: one season per week per account. Therefore, if you used your shift, you will have to wait for the servers to update on Thursday (usually at 16:30 Moscow time the season changes for everyone).
☑️ Check before season change
Difference between online and offline modes
Understanding the differences between modes is critical to time management. In mode Horizon Life (online) you are connected to live servers. Here the time of day is absolutely identical for thousands of players. You can't make it night if it's day on the server. The only option is to find a server (region) where it is night, but in FH4 regions are global in time of day, they are synchronized.
In mode Horizon Solo (offline/single player) you are disconnected from the general world. In this mode, the game may use your device's local time or have its own loop, which can sometimes be reset by restarting the application. Many players have noticed that when entering single-player mode, the time of day may differ from the online time, which gives a chance to catch the night.
If your goal is to take high-quality screenshots or shoot videos without other players, Single Player mode is ideal. Here you can calmly wait for night to fall by pausing the game (although the pause time is worth it), or just ride around. No traffic allows other players to focus on setting up the camera and light.
| Parameter | Online mode (Horizon Life) | Single mode (Solo) |
|---|---|---|
| Time synchronization | Global, server | Local or independent |
| Possibility of changing the season | Only the master of the world (if not passed) | Always available (if there are limits) |
| Presence of other players | Yes, a lot | No |
| Time stability | High, uninterrupted | Can be reset on exit |
It is also worth mentioning the mode Super7 or custom events. Some player-created challenges allow the creator to set a specific time of day. If you find such an event, you will be able to ride at night even if it is noon in the main world. This is a great way to add variety to the experience.
The influence of weather and seasons on night driving
Night in Forza Horizon 4 - it's not just a dark background. This is a complex set of conditions that affect physics and visuals. Headlight lighting becomes critical. Depending on the graphics settings, light can be realistically reflected from wet asphalt or scattered in fog.
Each season dictates its own visibility conditions. In winter, the nights are often clear, but the roads are slippery. In autumn there is frequent rain and fog, which drastically reduces visibility, making driving at night a real challenge even for experienced pilots. Summer nights usually warm and dry, ideal for high-speed highway rides.
The secret to taking a perfect screenshot at night
For better night photos, use Photo mode (F10 on PC or the corresponding button on console). Enable Long Exposure mode for headlight tracks in your photo settings if the option is available in the current patch, or simply adjust the aperture and shutter speed manually to capture more light.
Rain at night creates a “mirror” effect on the road surface. Reflections of city neon and headlights become brighter and more contrasting. However, road grip decreases and the risk of aquaplaning increases. Tire temperature It can fall faster at night, especially in the winter season, which requires more careful cornering.
Wind also plays a role, especially for motorcycles and light vehicles. At night, gusts of wind may be less noticeable visually, but their influence on the trajectory remains. It is recommended to be careful on bridges and open sections of the highway.
Graphics settings for better night pictures
For a truly impressive night in a game, it's not enough to just wait until it gets dark. The graphics engine must be configured correctly. Quality Settings directly affect the rendering of light and shadows. If you have powerful hardware, set the maximum parameters.
Pay attention to the World Detail and Anisotropic Filtering options. They affect the clarity of distant objects and road textures at an angle. This parameter is critical for night driving. Motion Blur (motion blur). Many players prefer to turn it off for clarity, but for high-speed racing at night, a touch of blur adds a cinematic feel.
- 🌟 Bloom: Increase this setting to make headlights and street lamps give off a nice soft glow, creating a neon ambience.
- 🌑 Contrast: Increase the contrast in your game or monitor settings a little so that the black night becomes truly black and not dark gray.
- 💧 Reflections: Set it to Ultra for a mirror-like look on wet asphalt at night.
Don't forget about rendering resolution. If (FPS) drops, the game can become jerky, which is especially noticeable at night when lights flash quickly. Optimize your settings to ensure a stable 60fps or higher.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling Ray Tracing, if your video card and game version support it (via mods or updates), radically changes the night image, making the reflections physically accurate, but requires a powerful PC.
Tips for driving safely in the dark
Driving at night in the simulator takes some getting used to. Peripheral vision is limited and you rely mainly on headlights. Use different types of machines for night rides. SUVs with high ground clearance and powerful lights are suitable for forests, while low sports cars are suitable for well-lit roads.
Turn on driving assistants if you're just learning. Braking trajectory and a turn marker will help you navigate in the dark when the markings are not visible. However, for realism and getting the maximum experience (“Simulator”), it is better to turn off unnecessary prompts and learn to feel the dimensions.
Use first person (cockpit) view at night for maximum immersion. In this mode, you can better feel the speed and operation of the instrument panel, and the headlights illuminate only what is ahead, creating tension.
Plan your route in advance. It's easy to miss a turn at night if it's not illuminated. Follow the navigation marker. If you are racing at night against the AI (Drivatar), they will drive on an ideal trajectory, which can serve as a great reference point.
Remember that it is more difficult to judge speed at night. There are fewer visual references, so the speed appears slower than it actually is. Be careful at the entrances to cities and towns, where pedestrians (in the form of ghosts or NPCs) and other obstacles may appear.
The main secret of night driving is not speed, but predictability. Smooth movements and proper use of light are more important than sudden jerks.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to make night forever in Forza Horizon 4?
No, you cannot make a night “forever” without using mods or third-party software (which can lead to a ban). The game is based on cycles. However, in Single Player mode, you can restart the game repeatedly or change seasons (with restrictions) to find yourself in the dark more often.
Does the time of day affect the spawn rate of rare cars?
In the base game, the time of day does not directly affect the spawning of rare cars (Car Meets or rare models on the roads). However, some seasonal challenges are only available at certain times or require conditions to be met at night. There are also “Barn Find clues”, which can be tied to the season, but not to the hour of the day.
Why does FPS drop at night?
At night, rendering can be more demanding due to complex lighting, shadows and Bloom effects. If you have an older PC, try lowering the Lighting Quality and Shadows settings.
Are there cities in the game where you can see better at night?
Yes, Edinburgh and other city locations in the game are perfectly lit by street lamps. Trails like the Highland Thruway are also well lit. Forest and dirt roads are practically not illuminated at night, except for the light of your headlights.