Experiencing a Forza Horizon map for the first time is truly enchanting. Although I’m restricted from sharing the initial moments of my hands-on with Forza Horizon 6, I believe it’s best to experience this opening drive for yourself, free from spoilers.
After the prologue, I was able to explore extensively. The preview build ran on a 30 FPS “Quality” mode, while a 60 FPS “Performance” mode will be available in the full game. According to Playground’s documentation, the preview session lasts about an hour with linear play but allows for unlimited free roaming afterward. I found myself so captivated on the first day that I played for extended hours into the night and continued the next day.
If the preview didn’t have a cutoff time, I can guarantee you I’d still be playing it now.
Impressively, this build only featured a small portion of the 550 cars expected at launch and just a handful of racing events. The preview included three types of races: cross country, road, and trail races, alongside familiar Horizon PR stunts, particularly several drift zones on some of the series’ best roads.
These races qualified players for the Horizon Invitational, central to accessing the main festival in the full game. Forza Horizon 6 will revert to a tiered wristband system reminiscent of the original Forza Horizon.
I appreciated the presence of race marshals and festival infrastructure at race staging areas, enhancing the festival’s realism and making it feel like a substantial event managed by real individuals, rather than just icons or menus.
The initial trio of cars piqued my curiosity. It’s unclear whether the selection reflects what will appear in the final version or if it’s just a tailored mix for this sample. I don’t mind that they come modified, as it adds authenticity—most first cars in Japan would likely have prior modifications. However, the inclusion of the distinctly American GMC Jimmy felt unusual, especially with Japan’s iconic off-road vehicles available. Differences noted in the showcased cars during my visit and the footage may suggest some placeholders still exist.
As someone who has invested countless hours into each Forza Horizon since 2012, the events felt familiar and delivered the expected quality. The races were enjoyable, but what truly captivated me was exploring the open world, which I found irresistible.
Forza Horizon 6 presents a breathtaking map. Initially glimpsed during a visit to Playground, the full scope vastly exceeded my expectations. I adore the immersive aspect of open worlds, and Forza Horizon 6 excels at this. My initial cautiousness about thoroughly exploring the map quickly faded as the vibrant landscape drew me in. Every road held something visually stimulating and engaging.
