This New Racing Game Aims to Outperform Forza Horizon 6 and Even GTA 6

2 Jun at 11:30 Comment Views: 37

A fresh chapter in the racing genre has officially begun, led by industry veterans eager to surpass the benchmark set by the Forza Horizon series. Maverick Games, the studio spearheaded by Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, has pulled the curtain back on Clutch—a narrative-driven driving game set against the sun-drenched, winding roads of the French Riviera.

While Clutch retains the DNA of the modern open-world racer—featuring a curated list of licensed vehicles, an exotic travel-poster setting, and a blend of sanctioned motorsport and illicit street-racing circuits—it pivots toward a darker tone. By weaving in a high-stakes crime narrative, the game channels the intensity of Need for Speed and the cinematic chaos of Grand Theft Auto, tasking players with navigating automotive heists and high-speed police chases.

To survive these pursuits, players can outfit their vehicles with high-tech, 007-inspired gadgets. The debut trailer offered a glimpse of this in action: a grappling tether deployed from the front bumper, allowing drivers to whip around tight corners and lamp posts with acrobatic precision.

At the center of the story are two siblings caught between two worlds: the prestigious R1K, a storied centennial racing championship, and the Midnight Collective, a grassroots street-racing syndicate described by Brown as a celebration of pure, unadulterated speed.

Beyond the gameplay, the level of fidelity is striking. The vehicles feature realistic wear and tear, and Clutch looks to outpace its contemporaries by introducing a deep customization system. Unlike the standard aesthetic tweaks found in most racers, players can curate their car’s cabin, selecting aftermarket steering wheels and seats, or littering the dashboard with personal ephemera—from forgotten parking tickets and coffee cups to discarded hoodies.

Fans can expect a deeper dive into the cast and setting during the upcoming Summer Game Fest presentation on June 5. While the setting is unmistakably inspired by the French Riviera, rumors suggest the map may span toward northern Italy, echoing the geographic breadth of Forza Horizon 2.

Although Clutch was initially slated for publication under Amazon, the tech giant retracted its support this past February. Undeterred, Maverick Games has maintained steady development momentum and is currently in the process of securing a new publishing partner. The studio, based in Leamington Spa, finds itself in a unique position, situated just minutes away from its rivals at Playground Games, where a similar “Forza-killer” project is reportedly underway at Lighthouse Games under the leadership of studio founder Gavin Raeburn.