Forza Horizon 6: The Ultimate Review
Forza Horizon 6 has officially arrived, and it is a certified masterpiece. Setting a brand-new standard for open-world racing games, this latest entry takes players on a breathtaking journey through Japan. Released on May 19, 2026, for £59.99 (and available on Day One via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass), the game delivers the massive, culturally rich driving utopia that fans have been begging for.
Here is a breakdown of what makes this game an absolute must-play, along with a few areas where it falls slightly short.
The Setting: Japan Steals the Show
The absolute star of Forza Horizon 6 is its setting. The developers have built a massive, beautifully structured map filled with diverse biomes and countless secrets to uncover.
- Breathtaking Landscapes: Players can drive through dense, lush forests and suddenly catch a glimpse of a mist-shrouded Mount Fuji towering in the distance.
- Dynamic Environment: The gorgeous natural scenery of Japan is enhanced by dynamic seasonal changes.
- Exploration: The expansive world is packed with hidden cars waiting to be discovered by curious drivers.
Whether you are watching the sun rise over a bustling metropolis or racing as storm clouds roll over a deep valley, the visual drama keeps you completely immersed.
Gameplay and Progression: Back to the Roots
While the core of the game still revolves around a massive, festival-themed driving contest filled with races and stunts, the progression system has received a much-needed overhaul.
From Rookie to Racing Legend
In previous games, you started as a celebrated superstar. In Forza Horizon 6, you begin as a complete novice. You must actually earn your way into the festival by qualifying and unlocking higher tiers of competition.
- The Grind is Back: You start out driving slower, everyday C-class cars on basic tracks.
- The Reward: Through hard work and winning races, you earn the reputation required to unlock high-performance hypercars like the Ferrari J50 and Lamborghini Huracán.
Activities and “Discover Japan”
Beyond traditional racing, the map is littered with side activities like speed traps, massive jumps, and style challenges. A standout new feature is the “Discover Japan” mode. This segment allows players to take relaxing driving tours through beautiful, historic areas while a narrator explains local points of interest—even if you happen to be blasting past them at 150 mph!
Handling and Technical Performance
A racing game is only as good as its driving mechanics, and Forza Horizon 6 absolutely excels here.
- Accessible Yet Challenging: The handling system feels highly intuitive but still offers enough depth to reward skilled drivers.
- No Sim Rig Required: You don’t need an expensive racing wheel setup to enjoy this game; it feels incredible and fun on a standard controller.
- Incredible Customization: The game offers deep visual and performance customization options, allowing you to tailor your ride exactly how you like it.
Visually, the game is stunning. Interestingly, it still runs on the ForzaTech engine, which is now over a decade old. Despite the aging underlying tech, the developers have successfully pushed the engine to its limits, significantly scaling up the world and maximizing the environmental allure without sacrificing performance.
Where the Game Falls Short: A “Sterile” Tokyo
No game is perfect, and Forza Horizon 6’s biggest flaw lies in its representation of Tokyo.
While the developers faithfully recreated major landmarks like the Tokyo Radio Tower, Shibuya Crossing, and Akihabara, the city lacks its trademark soul. There are no bustling crowds, no distinct city sounds, and none of the vibrant energy or fashion that defines the iconic metropolis. Instead, the empty streets give the city a strangely quiet, almost post-apocalyptic and sterile atmosphere.
However, even with a hollow Tokyo, the overall racing structure remains incredibly safe and fun. The massive, ever-growing roster of cars makes the gameplay feel comfortably familiar—like slipping behind the wheel of a trusted personal vehicle.
Industry-Leading Accessibility
The Horizon Festival has always prided itself on being welcoming, but this entry takes accessibility to the next level. Players with varying physical abilities can fully enjoy the game thanks to a robust suite of features, including:
- Full Auto-Drive modes.
- Unlimited Fast Travel right from the start to avoid tedious navigation.
- High Contrast Modes for better visual clarity.
The Final Verdict
Score: A Masterpiece
Forza Horizon 6 doesn’t completely reinvent the wheel, nor does it try to change its identity to appeal to non-racing fans. Instead, it takes a formula that already worked perfectly, scales up the world, improves the progression mechanics, and delivers exactly what fans wanted.
If you can forgive the slightly empty atmosphere of Tokyo, this game provides an unmatched driving experience. With its gorgeous map, rewarding progression, and thousands of hours of content, Forza Horizon 6 is an absolute must-buy for racing fans and a crowning achievement for the franchise.
