Forza Horizon 6 review: A superb race game that brings Japan beautifully to life

British-based Playground Games has knocked it out of the park with the best Forza Horizon game ever and a racing title that’s stocked full of content for years of enjoyment

Race fanatics get to belt around a beautiful looking Japan in the latest in this tip-top arcade driving series.

And the high-speed Forza gaming has never been better.

British-based Playground Games has taken to the tarmac with a confidence and overwhelming understanding of all things car to deliver a best-in-class racing sim here.

This is a game that not only delivers unrivalled graphics, motors and knowledge about driving but delivers an all-you-can-muster title that players will be into for years to come.

Solo or multiplayer, there’s just so much to do with Forza Horizon 6 that it feels near-endless.

And it never stops being great fun, which is absolutely key to a strong driving title.

Because while you can get under the hood, tweaking all kinds of minutiae in a geek-fest of upgrades and tuning, the makers never forget to put gaming enjoyment at the heart of this title.

The result is a blisteringly fast 60fps 4K racing blockbuster that takes you through sun, rain, snow and storms in authentically rendered and stunningly beautiful areas of Japan.

From Tokyo’s tight streets to off-road open races along watery rice fields and winding streets through mountains, the screen is alive with detailed and dynamic environments.

At best, they can take your breath away.

This is, after all, Horizon’s most dense map yet, with verticality and varied biomes dramatically changing the flow and feel of exploration and racing.

There are 550 cars to unlock, all from recognised motor brands and a great mix of everything from beat-up bangers to world class rides Wirth hundreds of thousands in real life, like Aston Martins and Ferraris.

Each feels unique in the joypad and it can be quite a switch from one favoured motor to another, really changing how you approach time trials and multiplayer races.

Forza Horizon 6 is not an easy game at all, and keeping the horse power under control in some of these beasts can be incredibly difficult.

An oversteer here, and quick turn there – and suddenly you’re out of control and pummelling through barriers, eating turf rather than pushing asphalt.

But, but, when you do get the right ride for the right race, my oh my how you can glide through the pack, smashing records and turning rivals red-faced and angry as you snare 1st place.

It’s a great feeling and one you’ll never tire of.

And it’ll last you years. Because this game isn’t just about racing but exploration too.

There are tons of tasks away from the normal races, such as completing Food Delivery jobs that will test your ability to get warm grub to your client in time, hosting ‘car meets’ to check out other players’ cars and show off your own and taking pictures of the amazingly realistic areas you’ll come across using a suite of photography options.

The soundtrack too is awesome, with tons of songs playing out across a series of radio channels GTA-style.

Every little achievement you make pops up on screen and adds into your XP development as a racer in the Horizon Festival, helping to unlock cars and motor parts to make the next race even tighter.

Online play feels seamless and you’re constantly being tested even between races with ‘life events’ and open-world play being particular faves.

You can play hide and seek games with you hiding and 5 other drivers trying to find you, and Battle Royale where the last motor working is the winner in a smashathon.

Time attack trials against pals or other gamers online are also a cool way to see how well you stack up in any particular part of the map too.

Overall, this is a fantastically fast, smooth as silk motor game experience that is packed with cars and content way above just one vs one races.

It stays true to the tried and tested arcade Forza Horizon formula while expanding on the scale, beauty and replayability of previous titles with a huge array of unlocks and modes to enjoy both solo and multiplayer.

A podium topping finish.

VERDICT 5/5