Forza Horizon 6 brings the beloved arcade racing series to Japan for the first time, delivering an exhilarating experience that could be the best racing game of the year. The fictional Horizon festival sets up in a stunning recreation of Japan, featuring rugged snow slopes, cherry blossom-lined country roads, sandy beaches, wheat fields, and a microcosm of Tokyo with iconic landmarks like Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Tower, all set against the backdrop of Mount Fuji.
A Generous and Spectacular Experience
The game overwhelms players with generosity, from the rapid distribution of collectible cars to the ability to rewind time during races or free-roam, undoing mistakes or perfecting corners. The hyperbolic spectacle is lavish: fireworks, colored smoke from fighter jets, bullet trains, low-flying cargo aircraft, lasers, hot air balloons, helicopters, rocket launches, insane PR stunt jumps, sparks from scraping sports cars, and destructible scenery that lets you plow through barriers and trees as if they weren't there.
Driving rewards players with a plethora of bonuses, taking a leaf from Burnout's book. Drifts, near misses, daredevil acts, and smashing through scenery build massive combos, broken only by hard impacts with other cars. Players rapidly accrue credits, experience points, and spins on two wheels of fortune, winning cash, new vehicles, novelty car horns, and outfits for their Drivatar.
Horizon Rush and Showcase Events
The non-stop fun is typified by Horizon Rush events, which earn upgraded festival wristbands. These obstacle-laden courses feature slow-motion jumps, barriers to shatter, and floors to fall through, with a hilarious intensity unthinkable in serious sims like Gran Turismo. One showcase event has you racing against a giant mech that pounds and slides along the road, occasionally taking to the skies with jump jets. It instantly brings a smile to your face, as does much of Forza Horizon 6.
Exceptional Driving Model
Despite its arcade leanings, the driving model remains highly refined, delivering a characteristic feel for each of the 550 accurately modeled cars. It is nuanced, consistent, and flattering, helping players feel like racing drivers with default assists. Removing assists makes events more taxing, and increasing Drivatar difficulty provides greater rewards. There is an impressive variety of race events, from messy dirt rallies to precision track races, all playable solo, in co-op, or competitively.
New and Returning Features
EventLab returns, allowing players to create custom races and events across the miniature Japan map. New is CoLab, enabling players to build events with online friends and share creations with the community. Forza Horizon 6 is a refinement rather than a reinvention, but after five years since the last installment, the exhilarating experience feels fresh.
Verdict
Forza Horizon 6 is a giddying rush of fast cars, beautiful landscapes, and pounding music that never lets up. The forgiving driving model and continual feed of new events provide a conveyor belt of instant gratification. Pros include 550 cars at launch, a stunning recreation of Japanese cities and landscape, a wide variety of events and race styles, and well-chosen radio stations with driving music. Cons include no significant new ideas, incessant accolades that eventually feel meaningless, and gimmicky house buying. Score: 9/10.
Formats: Xbox Series X/S (reviewed), PlayStation 5, and PC. Price: £59.99. Publisher: Xbox Game Studios. Developer: Playground Games. Release Date: 19th May 2026 (PS5 TBA 2026). Age Rating: 3.
