Article:My Forza Horizon 6 Review
Article
Ahh, a fresh release
Do I dare be bold? This is the best Horizon since Horizon 3. Is it my favorite? No, Forza Horizon 1 is my favourite. Why? It captured the essence of a music festival, pure vibes, pure fun and the simple progression of the game made it better. The ability to win with certain cars really pushed you to your limits, and with the visual of the game, AHH perfection. With the release of Forza Horizon 6, it was no brainer where this was going to set in, and what can I say, phenomenal choice choosing Japan. No better country has a rich history of cars. From dominating motorsports, revolutionizing car cultures, being the father of drifting, and arguably making the best cars people have seen, it’s no wonder that this was so requested for a Forza game.
After the mixed feelings of Forza Horizon 5, Playground Games went back to its roots by going back to Forza Horizon 1 progression. Oh yeah. Meaning we had to grind through wristbands, unlocking areas, the ability to use faster cars, all the way to your golden wristband, allowing you to unlock Legends Island. And honestly, this is where Horizon 6 shines the most. Progression actually matters again. You're not handed a hypercar after your first race and told you're the superstar of the festival. Instead, you earn your way up. Starting in slower Japanese hatchbacks and sports cars made every upgrade feel meaningful.
The map itself is incredible. From neon-lit city streets inspired by Tokyo, winding mountain passes perfect for drifting, countryside roads lined with cherry blossoms, and coastal highways that stretch for miles, every region feels distinct. The variety makes exploration rewarding rather than feeling like you're driving through the same scenery repeatedly. With the introduction of Weather and seasons in Forza Horizon 4, this version has also been massively improved.
Driving through a rain-soaked mountain road at night while listening to Horizon Pulse genuinely feels like one of those classic Horizon moments. The atmosphere is something Playground Games has always been good at, but Horizon 6 takes it to another level.
Car culture is front and center this time around. Car meets; touge events, drift championships, underground street races, and expanded customization finally make the game feel like a proper celebration of Japanese automotive history. Whether you're building a clean time attack machine, a ridiculous drift missile, or a heavily modified kei car, there is something here for everyone.
That isn't to say the game is perfect. The dialogue can still be a bit cringeworthy at times, and some of the AI racers have a tendency to either drive like Formula 1 champions or complete beginners with very little in between. There are also a few areas of the map that feel underutilized compared to others. But these issues never became big enough to ruin my experience.
In conclusion, Forza Horizon 6 feels like a game made by developers who listened. It takes the best parts of Horizon 1, Horizon 2, and Horizon 3, modernizes them, and delivers an experience that feels fresh while respecting the series' identity. It's a love letter to Japanese car culture and a return to the progression system that made Horizon special. It's not perfect, and Horizon 1 still holds the crown in my heart, but this is the closest the series has come to capturing that magic in over a decade. I can see this being one of the best racing games in the modern era, and I can’t wait to see what else they add to the game in the future.
Final Score: 9.5/10
Additional Info
Written by: Ferrari F50 GT
Publish Date: June 16th, 2026 @ 9:30am
