Forza Horizon 6 Is Every Japanese Driving Fantasy Rolled into One: Hands-On Preview

The preview build for Forza Horizon 6, while limited to a 30fps quality mode, showcased a captivating open world that immersed the player for hours beyond the initial linear gameplay. The full game, set to launch with a 60fps performance mode, will feature over 550 cars, a mere fraction of which were available in the preview. Despite the limited car selection and only a handful of race events—comprising a cross country, a road race, and a trail race—the experience was highly engaging. Familiar Horizon PR stunts, including drift zones on excellent switchback roads, were also present. These events served as a pathway to qualify for the Horizon Invitational, which will lead to the main Horizon Festival in the final game, though the Invitational itself was not part of this preview. Forza Horizon 6 reintroduces the tiered wristband structure from the original Forza Horizon. The presence of race marshals and festival infrastructure at race staging areas adds a layer of credibility, making the festival feel like a large-scale operation run by actual people, rather than just a collection of icons and menus. The initial trio of cars in the preview, which included pre-modified vehicles, left the player curious about whether this selection is representative of the final game or a temporary compromise for the preview build. The inclusion of the distinctly American GMC Jimmy, especially in a Japan-based game known for iconic off-roaders, felt somewhat random, leading to speculation that it might be a placeholder. The racing itself is described as typical of Forza Horizon's robust and reliable brand, meeting expectations, though the player didn't feel compelled to replay the limited events. What truly captivated the player was cruising the expansive map, which is described as a "showstopper." The vision of Japan presented in the game offers immense scope and contrast, with the preview build only scratching the surface of what the full map will offer. The game excels at providing an authentic sense of "digital tourism," successfully immersing the player in its Japanese driving fantasy. The compulsion to explore was constant, with every new road revealing something eye-catching and interesting. The map features local race circuits, including an unsealed dirt circuit and a dedicated drift track, all explorable even if only one was active for time attacks in the preview. These circuits possessed a charming, rural grassroots motorsport feel, with worn curbs, cluttered pit areas, and hastily painted safety tire bundles contributing to their authentic character. The changing surroundings during long drives through the countryside were also highlighted, with Forza Horizon 6 being lauded as the most beautiful Horizon game to date. The gradual blend of snow near the Japan Alps, the contrast between lush green grass and beaming white snow, and mountain roads carpeted in blossom petals were consistently stunning. Discovering hidden shrines and exploring unmarked skinny tracks added to the fascination. The player also enjoyed finding complex drift lines at the huge docks, navigating around container stacks and machinery. Car parks, from those at racetracks to tiny lots under overpasses and a massive multi-story structure at the docks, were abundant, providing ideal spots for future meet-ups with friends. The prevalence of petrol stations further suggests a strong potential for role-playing immersion. Above all, hooning around Tokyo City itself was a highlight. The city's density and verticality are unparalleled in previous Playground Games titles, offering enough variety—from multi-level bridges and overpasses to tight alleyways—to sustain entire play sessions without leaving its limits. The city is described as colorful, detailed, and varied. The player also confirmed that the Shinkansen, or bullet train, operates within the open world and is not sealed off, meaning players can indeed interact with it.