Forza Horizon 5 is a masterclass in maximalism, opening with a bombastic sequence that sets a high bar for spectacle. Within minutes, a cargo plane jettisons a Ford Bronco via parachute onto the smoldering peak of an active volcano; the player takes the reins mid-air, hurtling down the ash-covered slopes into the heart of Mexico. This high-octane introduction cycles through a variety of high-performance vehicles, tearing through dense rainforests and over massive dunes before plunging headlong into a blinding dust storm.
By comparison, Forza Horizon 6 strikes a slightly more grounded chord—at least initially. Playground Games’ latest open-world racing entry finally takes the series to the neon-drenched and mountain-carved landscapes of Japan. Rather than arriving as an established superstar dropped from the clouds, you enter the scene as a humble motoring enthusiast. Invited by your friend Mei, you start as a tourist with aspirations of qualifying for the prestigious Horizon Festival. I spent several hours in a preview build supplied by Microsoft, exploring the first hour of the campaign and the surrounding open world.
Despite this more modest narrative setup, the game doesn’t shy away from cinematic flair. The prologue serves as a breathtaking showcase of the map’s highlights and various racing disciplines. Your first task is a high-speed sprint in a Nissan GT-R, racing against a Shinkansen bullet train as cherry blossom petals drift across the asphalt and Mount Fuji looms in the distance. The action then shifts to a snowy mountain pass, where you pilot a Dakar truck while aircraft roar overhead, followed by a technical drift session down the winding touge roads in a vibrant yellow Porsche. The sequence culminates in a race with the game’s cover car, the Toyota GR GT Prototype, staged against the dramatic countdown of a space-bound rocket launch.
While this explosive opening feels familiar, it serves as a necessary bridge between the old and new. For the core campaign, Playground is aiming for a more structured, “curated” progression. In a recent interview, the developers revealed that players will climb through car classes using a wristband system—a nostalgic nod to the original 2012 Forza Horizon. This change is a breath of fresh air; while FH5 was undoubtedly brilliant, its sheer scale could be overwhelming, often showering players with so many unlocks and map icons that the sense of progression felt diluted.
The demo hints at this back-to-basics philosophy. Though limited to a handful of qualifying events and a few open-world activities like speed traps and drift zones, it feels like a refined version of the Forza formula. My initial garage was quite modest: Mei provided three C-class vehicles tailored for different terrains. I chose a modified 1989 Silvia K’s with an aggressive wide-body kit for the streets, a ’94 Celica GT-Four for the rally stages, and a 1970 GMC Jimmy for the rugged off-road paths. While the American 4×4 felt a bit out of place in rural Japan, its massive suspension was perfect for carving through the wilderness.
The map itself is where Forza Horizon 6 begins to establish its own unique identity. Unlike the jarringly diverse biomes of Mexico or Australia, Japan offers a more cohesive and atmospheric environment, echoing the design of FH4‘s Britain. It seamlessly weaves together historical shrines, dense forests, sleepy coastal villages, and vibrant urban centers. To the north, a massive mountain range provides a stunning panoramic view of the entire world. Then there is Tokyo—the series’ most ambitious urban recreation to date. While it is a condensed version of the real metropolis, racing through Shibuya Crossing or weaving through the sky-high lanes of the Expressway at night feels remarkably like a modern revival of Tokyo Xtreme Racer.
Playground Games is also leaning into “vibe-driving”—a term for players who prefer to simply cruise and soak in the atmosphere rather than grind through races. The map is designed to support this organic exploration. I discovered time-trial circuits tucked away in the hills that can be started seamlessly without menu interruptions. Additionally, the world is populated with “Mascots”—chibi-style representations of Japanese snacks that grant credits when smashed. These replace the traditional fast travel boards, as fast travel is now free to any previously visited location, encouraging players to hunt Mascots as a relaxed way to build their fortune.
One of my favorite new features is the “Aftermarket” car system. Scattered throughout parking lots and roadside pull-offs are second-hand cars for sale at a discount. These aren’t just stock vehicles; they often come with unique cosmetic or performance mods, feeling like a digital “Craigslist” version of the rare Horizon Edition cars. The stock at these locations rotates randomly, making every discovery feel special. In a lot near the Tokyo Expressway, I managed to snag a tuned B-class Autozam AZ-1—a legendary mid-engined kei car that is as fun to drive as it is tiny.
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The customization doesn’t stop at the cars. Players can now personalize Mei’s garage with an extensive selection of furniture and workshop equipment. This serves as a preview for “The Estate,” a massive new feature that allows players to own, landscape, and build upon a piece of the map. While it remains to be seen if Playground can truly balance the series’ trademark energy with this more grounded approach, the early signs are incredibly promising. Forza Horizon 6 feels like a series that knows exactly what it is, yet isn’t afraid to slow down and let the player enjoy the scenery.
Forza Horizon 6 arrives on May 19 for Xbox Series X and Windows PC. A PlayStation 5 release is planned for a later date.
Source: Polygon
