"The absolute pinnacle of the Forza Horizon series": I finally played Forza Horizon 6 and it's a spectacle the likes of which we haven't seen before

Forza Horizon 6 is set to launch on Xbox and PC on May 19, and I've finally been able to play it. What I've seen is but a tiny snapshot of what's to come, but it's immediately clear that this is the most grandiose release to date.

Japan has been the most requested destination on the Forza Horizon world tour pretty much forever, and seeing it finally come to light, it's immediately clear as to why.

Every new Forza Horizon is bigger, better, and bolder than the last, but almost five years along from Mexico, the feeling is different. Forza Horizon 6 is going to be the most incredible spectacle, and that's just from the map alone. It's special. It's really special.

The biggest and most diverse Forza Horizon setting yet

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The Forza Horizon series has been to some stunning parts of the world, but nothing like this. Japan has it all, from the mad bustle of a sprawling city to the snowy mountains and just about everything in between. Driving across the Forza Horizon 6 landscape feels like you're experiencing every season in the same drive.

At its heart is Tokyo, but that's not where the Horizon Festival site is. Tokyo sits alone as this gigantic metropolis, packed with tiny side streets, multi-lane roads, and highways, and you can really feel its size.

There were no races in Tokyo (that I'm allowed to show) in the preview build, but the mind boggles at the varied racing we're going to get here.

Outside of the city, you have mile after mile of picturesque scenery and sweeping open roads, dirt tracks, and snow-covered mountain tracks, and of course, you can drive across all of it. As ever in Forza Horizon, if you want to go as the crow flies to get from point A to point B, you can, smashing the trees out of the way as you go.

I've never been to Japan, so I have nothing to compare it to first-hand, but it really does feel authentically Japanese. In Tokyo, for example, you find the famous Shibuya Crossing, albeit without the pedestrian hazards.

Out on the open roads you'll find distinctly Japanese markings, road signs, and sakura hanging from the trees. The game's world is so striking, it's easy to get lost within it.

Cars, cars, and more cars

It wouldn't be a Forza Horizon game without a ludicrous lineup of cars, though since this is a preview, I've not seen all that many. But I have seen a new feature that I'm digging a lot that'll help players fill their garages with faster, better cars, especially in the early game.

New for Forza Horizon 6 is the ability to buy aftermarket cars from spots on the map. They'll show up with their own little icon, but all you need is enough credits to splurge on them, drive up, and buy.

During my time in the preview I bought a VW Golf R, a BMW M3, a Nissan Fairlady Z, a 1997 Honda Civic Type R, a Subaru Impreza WRX STI, a Hammerhead buggy, and a Shelby Mustang. Each with a pre-applied tuning setup, and in some cases, even aftermarket body kits. Each seems to be available at a discount, too, which you can't grumble at.

Oh and Drivatars are still, well, idiotic. I'm not sure what I hoped for, but so far at least, they seem to have exactly as much sense as Drivatars in previous Forza Horizon games. That is to say, not a lot.

Forza Horizon 6 is a familiar experience, but that's not a bad thing

While almost the entire map has been my playground (the Legends island is off-limits), the preview has only shown a brief snapshot of what the final game will contain. It's hard locked at the point you take on the qualifying race for the Horizon Festival, so as to what comes beyond that point, I cannot say.

However, in the early stages at least, it feels familiar, which isn't a bad thing. Why mess with something that isn't broken, after all? Essentially you progress by completing races and PR stunts, the same sort of ladder we've had in previous titles.

Bonus boards are back, too, though I haven't seen any Fast Travel ones. As I write this, I'm still waiting for a reply from Xbox on whether this is only for the preview build or whether or not the system is changing this year. But you can still crank up your XP gains by smashing boards, and this year we're also getting cutesy little Regional Mascots to drive over.

There is a point to it, of course, and in this case you'll be rewarded with 5,000 credits per Mascot. Another neat little touch that will certainly help in the early game when you need money for fresh wheels.

Additionally, you earn XP and credit rewards for simply exploring the map. As you find new regions and areas and then fully explore each, you'll be rewarded, and I'd assume there will be achievements linked to all of these things.

Drag racing is something else synonymous with the Forza Horizon experience, and in the latest game it looks like there's a little change. In the preview build there's a solitary "Drag Meet" but it's a little different from previous releases.

Like a real-life drag race, you have a lights system to start the race, and you're responsible for getting off the line entirely of your own accord. If you touch the throttle, you'll move and jump-start. Timing is everything, or you can hold the e-brake, make sure you have launch control on, hold the throttle, and go on green.

Forza Horizon 6 looks like being the pinnacle of the franchise

Even without playing the raft of content that will come with the full release, it's easy to see that this is the absolute pinnacle of the Forza Horizon series.

The map is absolutely enormous and is the most varied terrain we've seen in any Forza Horizon game to date. One minute you'll be racing on smooth tarmac; the next you're up in the mountains. hurling yourself around a snowy ski resort.

The scale of Tokyo City is unlike any built-up environment the series has produced to date, and its mix of wide roads and narrow side streets will provide countless opportunities for mayhem.

All-in-all, even more than a month out from release, it's clear that Xbox once again has something special on its hands. It's the longest time we've had between any two Forza Horizon games, and it looks to have paid off.

This is a spectacle and a scale we've never seen from the franchise, and this tiny sneak peek means I'll be counting down the days.

Forza Horizon 6 launches on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and Xbox Cloud on May 19, 2026. Early Access for Ultimate Edition buyers begins on May 15, 2026.