Microsoft has been preparing a “snowy mountain playground” for Forza Horizon 3 players as part of the game’s Blizzard Mountain expansion, which has now launched for Windows 10 and Xbox One.
In addition to a series of wintry tracks, Blizzard Mountain also introduces a collection of new vehicles, along with a new single-player campaign that spans multiple events and extreme weather challenges.
Forza Horizon 3, released in September, is the latest entry in Microsoft’s open-world racing sim franchise. Unlike its companion series Forza Motorsport, Forza Horizon features an expansive map that players can explore at their leisure as they seek out new races and challenges over the course of a lengthy campaign.
Players face a new set of campaign challenges in Blizzard Mountain, all of which take place on wintry terrain at extreme alpine heights. Microsoft notes that the upcoming DLC boasts “more than 50 new events and challenges to compete in …, including Hill Climb, Descent, and Blizzard race events.”
The expansion marks the first time that Forza Horizon 3 players will have to deal with ice, snow, and blizzards, adding a degree of difficulty not seen in previous DLC releases. Players who survive Blizzard Mountain will be rewarded with a bounty of 28 new Xbox Live Achievements, for a total of 500 Gamerscore points.
New Forza Horizon 3 vehicles unlocked with the purchase of Blizzard Mountain include the high-horsepower 2016 Ford Gymkhana 9 Focus RS RX, the bulky 1965 Ford F-100 Flareside Abatti Racing Trophy Truck, the San Remo Valley favorite 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Group 4, 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Group B rally car, Pro 2 Unlimited’s 2016 RJ Anderson No. 37 Polaris RZR-Rockstar Energy Pro 2 Truck, the 2016 Subaru No. 199 WRX STI VT15r Rally Car, and Nissan’s prototype 2016 Titan Warrior Concept.
In addition, Xbox One S owners will enjoy an enhanced graphical experience with Forza Horizon 3‘s HDR support. The enhanced dynamic range on the Xbox One S will make the snowy terrain appear even more treacherous and, as Microsoft puts it, “HDR allows you to see the sparkling detail of each falling snowflake in the unique glow of your favorite car’s headlights.”
Forza Horizon 3‘s Blizzard Mountain DLC is available starting December 13. The pack can be purchased as a stand-alone download from the Xbox Store, and it’s also included as part of the Forza Horizon 3 Expansion Pass, which also grants access to an upcoming DLC pack similar to Blizzard Mountain in terms of scale and scope.
Updated on 12-13-2016 by Mark Coppock: Changed to indicate that the title is now available for purchase.
