You are listening to Vacation in the Dungeon the podcast with your host(s) Muhammd Tahir and Charlton Smit.

In this episode of Vacation in the Dungeon the Podcast we discuss: Forza Horizon 4 and The United Kingdom.

Segment 1:United Kingdom

Video games that give you a sense of real world travel? Forza Horizon 4 is a perfect example. And here’s an interesting twist: this game wasn’t made in Japan, China, or the U.S. It was developed right in the United Kingdom by Playground Games, based in Leamington Spa. The UK setting lets players explore a virtual version of Britain that feels alive and incredibly detailed.

What sets Forza Horizon 4 apart is its driving and dynamic seasons. The game revs through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and each season completely changes the way the world looks and drives one week  you’re tearing down golden autumn roads lined with colorful leaves, modded-out cars pushing to the max, alive and incredibly detailed , the next drifting across snow-covered streets in the middle of winter, or cruising under bright spring skies with blooming countryside all around. The changing seasons don’t just look beautiful  they change the way you race, adding variety and challenge, just like real-world travel can surprise you with new experiences depending on when you visit.

The landscapes themselves are breathtaking. From the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to Scotland’s rugged highlands, the game captures the diversity of Britain’s terrain. You’ll race past historic landmarks, like Edinburgh Castle or charming coastal towns, and explore winding country lanes that feel like a road trip straight out of a travel magazine. Every corner has something new to discover, whether it’s a hidden trail, a festival event, or a scenic lookout.

But it’s not just about scenery. Forza Horizon 4 also gives players a taste of British culture. The villages, festivals, and even local wildlife make the environment feel lived-in and authentic. Driving through these towns, you get a sense of what life feels like in different parts of the UK from bustling city streets to quiet rural roads. It’s an adventure that mixes speed and exploration, letting you feel like both a traveler and a racer.

For travel and gaming enthusiasts alike, this game is a perfect bridge between the two worlds. It shows how video games can take you to new countries, immerse you in local culture, and let you experience the thrill of  the adventure all without leaving your home. Forza Horizon 4 isn’t just about racing, it's a virtual road trip across the UK, offering discovery, freedom, and fun at every turn.

Segment 2:  Cross Over

Today we’re talking about one of the coolest gaming crossovers ever—Forza Horizon 4 and the United Kingdom. This game isn’t just about cars and racing; it’s basically a giant love letter to Britain. You’ve got everything from the rolling green hills of the countryside to the narrow cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, and it all feels alive. The seasons are a total game-changer too—you might be flying down a sunny road one week, then sliding across frozen lakes the next. It’s unpredictable, chaotic, and honestly, pretty much how British weather works in real life. What I love most, though, is the personality packed into it. The cheeky humor from the festival hosts, the classic British rides like the Aston Martin and Mini Cooper, even the GPS voice with that perfect polite-but-sassy tone—it all just fits. It’s like someone mashed up Top Gear with a massive outdoor festival and said, “Yeah, that’s Horizon.” The UK setting gives it this charm and personality that no other Horizon game quite matches. Whether you’re ripping through the Scottish Highlands or doing donuts near Edinburgh Castle, it really feels like a celebration of what makes Britain, well… Britain. Forza Horizon 4 isn’t just a racing game` it’s a vibe.

Segment 3: Forza Horizon 4 

When this game dropped, I didn’t expect the UK to be… this exciting. Rolling hills, rainy countryside roads, tiny stone bridges  and then bam! A McLaren Senna roaring past a tractor. It’s hilarious and beautiful all at once. Playground Games really nailed that blend of realism and fun. You can tell the world was built to drive through, not just look at.

And the seasons  man, the seasons changed everything. Summer is all about open-road cruising, autumn gives you those satisfying drifts through leaves, winter turns half the map into an ice-skating rink, and spring? Mud. Just… mud everywhere. There’s something kind of magical about having over 700 cars to collect. You’ve got everything from old-school classics like the ’65 Mini Cooper to absolute beasts like the Bugatti Chiron. And if you’re like me, you probably spent way too long customizing license plates or painting your car neon green for reasons.

But what I really love is how Forza Horizon 4 doesn’t punish you for goofing around. You can take a supercar off-road, or drift through a sheep field, and the game just goes, “Yeah, sure, that’s fine.” It rewards chaos  and that’s what keeps it fun. The online side of Horizon 4 is a wild ride. One minute you’re peacefully doing speed traps, the next you’re suddenly in a random player’s convoy doing ridiculous stunts. There’s something wholesome about that everyone just kind of exists together, messing around, racing, and doing backflips off danger signs.

And those live events? Pure energy. You’ll see thirty cars flying through the air, half of them spinning out, and someone in the back doing donuts for no reason. It’s chaos, but it’s the best kind. Even with Horizon 5 out now, Horizon 4 still has this cozy charm. There’s just something about that British countryside — the balance of fast-paced racing and peaceful exploring. I still find myself booting it up just to drive around for fun. No races, no goals. Just me, the road, and that calming Forza soundtrack.

And if you’ve ever played while it’s raining in-game and outside your window at the same time… you know that feeling. It’s oddly therapeutic. So yeah, Forza Horizon 4 isn’t just another racing game. It’s a sandbox of speed, beauty, and a little bit of madness. It’s where you can be competitive or completely ridiculous  and both are equally fun.

If you haven’t played it in a while, give it another spin. Try that one car you never upgraded, drive across the map in first-person view, or just mess around with your friends again. Because that’s what Horizon is about  freedom on four wheels.

Music Credits:   circuit rush by The mini vandales.