Since Microsoft started bringing its games to the PS5, only one title has truly stood out. While Forza Horizon 5 won over Sony’s players, other releases had a much more modest reception. This stark difference reveals a clear preference from the public and raises questions about the Redmond giant’s strategy.
An Isolated Success Amid Modest Sales
Released on PS5 in April last year, Forza Horizon 5 became a phenomenon of its own. Thanks to data from Alinea Analytics, we know the racing game has sold over 5 million copies on Sony’s console. However, the other Xbox games that made the same journey did not repeat this feat. Titles like Sea of Thieves, Avowed, and, especially, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, fell far short in sales. The case of Ninja Theory’s Hellblade 2 is especially emblematic, with only 50 thousand units sold.
What the Numbers Reveal About Players’ Tastes
This colossal disparity doesn’t happen by chance. It shows that not every game can repeat its success outside of Xbox’s original ecosystem. The PS5 audience seems to show a marked preference for certain genres. In this case, the winning formula was that of an open-world racing game with an arcade feel, exactly what Forza Horizon 5 delivers masterfully. On the other hand, more narrative and niche experiences, like Hellblade 2, have yet to find the same resonance.
To illustrate the difference, see the contrast in sales of some of the main games:
Forza Horizon 5 – 5.1 million
Gears of War Reloaded – 572 thousand
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – 491 thousand
Microsoft Flight Simulator – 166 thousand
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II – 50 thousand
The Future of Xbox Games on PS5
With more games from Xbox Game Studios on their way to PS5, the big question hanging in the air is: will they all have the same resounding success as Forza Horizon 5? The answer, for now, seems to be no. The lukewarm reception to titles like Hellblade 2 indicates that the path to winning over the Sony player is more complex than just porting a game. It’s necessary to understand what this specific audience values in an experience. Meanwhile, Microsoft should analyze these numbers closely to calibrate its cross-platform strategy moving forward. [Link “The Next Xbox Games Coming to PS5 in 2026”] [Link “Analysis: What Makes a Racing Game Addictive?”]
