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Forza Horizon 6 review – a thrilling open-world racer in Japan
Forza Horizon 6 takes the series to Japan with stunning scenery, varied events and thrilling arcade racing that delivers the most ambitious Forza Horizon experience yet.
Heavy bass shakes the festival grounds, engines roar into life and neon lights flood the skyline. That can only mean one thing – Forza Horizon 6 has arrived to bring back gaming’s biggest motorsport festival.
Rally cars drift at breakneck speed down steep mountain roads and into tight hairpins. Supercars thunder along the motorway at more than 400kph, while off-road trucks battle for victory across flower-filled fields. Forza Horizon returns with its trademark open-world formula in a setting fans have wanted for years. Forza Horizon 6 finally takes the series to Japan. In this review, we explain what makes Playground Games’ latest racer so impressive.
01
Forza Horizon 6 gameplay – the king of variety
Long-time Forza Horizon fans already know what makes Playground Games’ open-world racers so addictive – the sheer variety of activities on offer. One moment you're chasing lap times in high-speed street races, the next you're tearing through muddy off-road trails or navigating dramatic cross-country stages inspired by events such as the Dakar Rally.
Earn bracelets to unlock more prestigious races
© Xbox Game Studios
Forza Horizon 6 builds on that winning formula and places it in one of the most requested settings imaginable – Japan. This condensed interpretation of the country includes almost everything you could want from a virtual road trip: a sprawling version of Tokyo, Mount Fuji, peaceful temples, bamboo forests and much more besides.
At its core, the gameplay remains reassuringly familiar. The main objectives and progression systems have not changed dramatically, meaning existing fans will feel instantly at home. That said, Forza Horizon 6 still introduces plenty of exciting new ideas.
The cockpits are bursting with detail
© Xbox Game Studios
In Forza Horizon 6, there's practically nothing you can't experience. A spectacular race against two stunt planes? Check. A duel set to the soundtrack of the One Piece movie against... well, we'd rather not spoil that. Let's just say anime fans will rejoice. Or how about an event where you race up and down a steep ski slope?
The sheer creativity on display across the game’s events is remarkable. Each of the roughly 100 festival events in the single-player campaign feels distinct and entertaining. And that's before even considering the multiplayer modes and the huge open world itself.
02
Exploring Japan in Forza Horizon 6
The visual and gameplay variety packed into Forza Horizon 6 is genuinely outstanding. The world map is divided into 10 regions, each with its own atmosphere and identity, helping the game stand apart from the Mexico setting of Forza Horizon 5 and the UK-inspired world of Forza Horizon 4.
Japan's varied landscapes make it the perfect setting for the game
© Xbox Game Studios
One moment, you could be admiring a mist-covered valley in the western region of Shimanoyama. The next, you'll be driving through the vibrant flower fields of central Minamino or exploring ancient temples in the eastern district of Ito. Quite simply, Forza Horizon 6 delivers the most varied and visually impressive map in the series’ history. Exploring its 700-plus roads – and the wilderness between them – is consistently rewarding.
Players looking for a more guided experience can dive into the new Day Tour story missions. These narrated journeys take you across the map while offering insights into Japanese culture and traditions. It is a clever addition that gives the game more personality and charm.
Forza Horizon 6 is kicking up the cherry blossom in Japan
© Xbox Game Studios
Japan itself looks spectacular throughout. Seasonal changes completely transform the world, keeping the scenery fresh as you play. The preview build showcased beautiful cherry blossom-filled spring landscapes, while the final release introduces lush summer scenery. Autumn and winter promise even more visual variety.
03
Arcade racing at its finest
Forza Horizon 6 remains firmly rooted in arcade racing, but there is still a satisfying challenge underneath the accessible handling model. Even on the standard difficulty setting, AI opponents provide strong competition from the outset. Players who settle somewhere in the middle of the nine available difficulty levels should find an enjoyable balance between challenge and accessibility.
Rally, road racing, drifting, drag - Forza Horizon 6 has a lot to offer
© Xbox Game Studios
Terrain also plays a major role in how each vehicle feels. Mud, sand, water and tarmac all affect grip differently, making surfaces feel distinct during races. New touge routes – narrow, twisting Japanese mountain roads – are particularly enjoyable and will appeal to drift racing fans.
The AI has also received noticeable improvements. The infamous rubber-band effect, where opponents unrealistically catch up to the player, has been toned down significantly. As a result, solo races feel far more natural and competitive.
Fans of drag racing are well catered for too. Drag Meets feature realistic launch control systems, while Time Attack Circuits add another multiplayer-focused challenge in the open world. Competitive players will likely gravitate towards Spec Racing mode, where everyone drives identical vehicles and success comes down entirely to skill. Together, these modes create a polished and well-rounded racing package.
04
A huge open world packed with activities
Even when you're not racing, there's no shortage of things to do across virtual Japan. Speed traps, drift zones, jump challenges and time attacks are scattered throughout the map, rewarding exploration at every turn.
Players will also discover aftermarket vehicles hidden around the world. These fully customised cars can be purchased directly at the roadside, often at lower prices than those found in the main car dealership.
Forza Horizon 6 makes the most of its choice of location
© Xbox Game Studios
Collectibles return in force as well. More than 200 regional mascots are hidden across the map, including references to Japanese foods such as edamame, onigiri, dango and curry rice. Each one rewards players with credits, meaning dedicated explorers can earn a substantial amount of money without entering a single race. There are also 200 XP boards waiting to be smashed.
Returning PR Stunts such as Speed Traps, Drift Zones and Speed Zones make a comeback, but the standout additions are the Horizon Rush events. These spectacular showcase-style races take place in dramatic locations and deliver some of the game’s most memorable moments. One race charges through a futuristic spaceport, while another channels the energy of Codemasters classics such as DiRT 2 and DiRT 3 with its intense drift-focused gameplay.
05
Cars, customisation and creative freedom
Forza Horizon 6 launches with more than 550 vehicles, offering one of the biggest car rosters in the genre. The cover star is the 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype, a road-legal performance machine that perfectly captures modern Japanese car culture.
Naturally, Japanese legends dominate the line-up. The Nissan GT-R, Mazda MX-5, Subaru WRX and Toyota Supra are all present alongside a huge selection of European hypercars and American muscle cars. Returning vehicles from earlier Forza Horizon games also make an appearance, including the Mercedes-AMG One from Forza Horizon 5. As always, there are plenty of bizarre and entertaining novelty vehicles too.
The fleet of vehicles available is vast
© Xbox Game Studios
Audio design has received a major overhaul. A new acoustic modelling system gives every vehicle a richer and more authentic engine note, making cars sound more convincing than ever before. Combined with the game’s energetic soundtrack, the result is an exceptional audio experience.
Car customisation has expanded further as well. Players can fit new body kits, experiment with updated Forza Aero components and even apply paint effects to windows for the first time. While some enthusiasts may still want deeper options such as underglow lighting, the level of personalisation is stronger than ever.
For the first time in the series, players can also purchase homes across Japan. Eight properties are available throughout the world map, each featuring a fully customisable garage. Decorations range from neon palm trees to giant plastic dinosaurs, giving players complete freedom to personalise their spaces.
The biggest new feature, however, is The Estate – a fully editable mountain valley where players can create custom roads, jumps, loops and buildings. Traditional Japanese architecture can sit alongside modern structures, and community creations can be shared online.
06
Verdict – Forza Horizon has never been better
Night-time street racing is a must
© Xbox Game Studios
We could easily spend hours talking about the experiences we've had during our time with Forza Horizon 6. Whether it was hunting down an XP board hidden beside a ski lift, launching off a danger sign near a missile base or blasting down the motorway at 420kph in a Hennessey Venom GT, the game constantly delivers memorable moments.
Forza Horizon 6 gives fans exactly what they want – and more. Japan is the perfect setting for the series, combining breathtaking scenery with varied roads and a lovingly crafted atmosphere. The new features and expanded customisation options meaningfully enhance a formula that was already incredibly strong.
Anyone who loved previous Forza Horizon games will feel right at home here. Those hoping for a radically different experience may not find it. But that has never really been the point of Forza Horizon. This series is about the joy of driving – and it has never done it better.
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