Not only does the upgrade bring native 4K resolution to the gorgeous game, but it also adds enhanced effects. While Forza Horizon 3 was always a beautiful experience, the increase in resolution and better reflections elevates the title. We tested out the patch and the best part is that it also looks markedly better on a 1080p display.
Aside from the trailer showcasing the enhancements, Microsoft issued the following statement detailing the changes.
Forza Horizon 3 on Xbox One X is powered by the same state-of-the art ForzaTech engine at the heart of the Forza franchise, also used to develop Forza Motorsport 7 for Xbox One X which brought native 4K resolution racing to the new platform. Forza Horizon 3 enhancements let players experience the game in native 4K along with a host of additional visual updates, including improved car reflections and shadow resolutions, improved texture detail for road and terrain surfaces, and more. In addition, 4K resolution enhancements will be fully compatible with both Blizzard Mountain and Hot Wheels expansions for Forza Horizon 3. Whether you're careening across the dunes of the Outback in your favorite off-roader or building up a legion of fans with death-defying stunt driving in the rainforest, the 4K-enhanced version of Forza Horizon 3 is a thrilling blend of fantastic gameplay and cutting-edge visuals.
Digital Foundry conducted an analysis on the game in which they determined that Forza Horizon 3 indeed ran at native 4K on the console. There isn't any checkerboarding or dynamic scaling solution involved here. Unfortunately, there isn't a 60 FPS option as the game even on Xbox One X is locked to 30 FPS. The base Xbox One also locked the game at 30 FPS.
It would've been great to see to see a 60 FPS toggle but Digital Foundry said that it might not be possible given the the CPU requirements. Despite the fact that it runs at 30 FPS, the Xbox One X patch is a worthy upgrade over the base experience for the improvement in visuals.
If you're looking for a thrilling open world racing game, be sure to give Forza Horizon 3 a go. In our review we said that "this is the biggest Forza Horizon to date and it's not just the best Forza game, it's one of the best games you can buy on the Xbox One. Playground Games outdid itself...and Microsoft has something truly spectacular here. The appeal of Horizon is wider than a circuit based racer, and this massive, glorious representation of Australia is something to behold. It is truly a work of art." Be sure to check it out at your favorite retailer.
Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

All the best games coming to PC and Xbox in 2020, 2021, and beyond
What's coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One in the future? Here are the biggest and brightest games we're looking forward to.

I used Microsoft's free site builder to create an actual website
Microsoft released a free website builder this week. The tool is designed for small businesses and allows you to easily create a website from scratch or from your social media pages. I tried it out to see how it stands up in the real world.

5 things to look for when buying an Xbox / PC gaming headset
What are the top things to look out for when buying an Xbox or PC gaming headset? Here are a few pointers to help you, as well as some resources we've put together ourselves to help you get going.

Go sim racing in style with any one of these great cockpits
Sim racing has experienced a boom in 2021 and that's led to some serious interest in getting a good cockpit. Whether you're new to the scene or more experienced and looking to up your game, one of these cockpits will give you comfort and support while you race all day and night.