So they did it: it’s Forza Horizon in Japan. In just about every way they’ve nailed it. I have 20 something hours in Playground Games’ newest game and while it’s safe in a lot of ways, it’s also brilliant in the areas that matter most. The physics, setting, design, and loop are as good as it gets. There are a million little activity options in Forza Horizon 6 and you can effortlessly lose a couple of hours taking on aimless play.
Some of my favorite additions include:
- In world time trials
- Fast travel right out of the gate
- Altered and linear progression
Though it’s not exactly the new things that make Forza Horizon 6 the game it is – there’s hardly anything that hasn’t been in previous games. Much of what makes this sequel a top tier release is the way it sands down the rough edges of previous releases. I love the way Japan is represented, I’m particularly fond of how much of the rural areas are represented, but it’s really the depth, design, and size of the map that makes it what it is. It is far and away the best map that Playground Games has created. Previously, I would have said Forza Horizon 4 had the best map. Japan, to me, is an infinitely more interesting version of the fictionalized Great Britain that was released in FH4. The map of Japan flows effortlessly when playing – whether that be drifting, racing, or ripping through the countryside.
The addition of in world time trials or “Time Attack” makes the fun of shaving down laps more social and dynamic. If anything, I wish this new feature would have been pushed harder. The quality of life upgrades are also welcomed, but the amount of new stuff to play with is quite light. For me, it cements just how well Playground Games have done with the gameplay and setting.
This series, for someone that’s loved racing games since the PlayStation 1, perfectly encapsulates a pick up and play style of game. There are more activities than ever to choose from and for the first time in a while there’s a sense of progression to wherever you dedicate your efforts in any given session. Still, this is a bit of a half measure and while you’re gated out of events until reaching the next tier of overall progression, Forza Horizon 6 can feel flattened out with the amount of cars and general rewards it showers you with.
I think that if you’re someone who plays Forza Horizon for its maps and gameplay and have always found the fun of digging into its systems, you’ll love it. If you’re looking for that “next step” in this franchise, you won’t find it here. And if you’ve never played Forza Horizon and have even the slightest interest in racing games, this is the one to get.
I’ve always loved video games, technology, and learning – this is a space where I’ll post thoughts, translated notes and research, and anything that’s caught my interest in these spheres. I’m mostly playing on Xbox and PC these days. Professionally, I’ve been working in IT since 2023 and during that time I’ve worked with OS400, endpoint support and monitoring, Microsoft 365, and typical on-premises infrastructure.