The latest open-world racing game offers a breathtaking virtual road trip through Japan, ideal for those who love to explore.
For the past week, I’ve been relaxing each evening by racing through Japan’s countryside, playing Babymetal as I enjoy the scenery. While Forza Horizon 6 is a racing game at its core, aimed at ambitious drivers eager to rise in the ranks, it also features an open world perfect for exploration. This aspect is greatly enhanced in Horizon 6 with its structure and setting. The fictional Japan in the game is not just the largest map yet; it’s incredibly varied, allowing players to approach it in whatever way they choose. Horizon 6 encompasses everything from the vibrant streets of Tokyo to icy paths near Mount Fuji, and I’m committed to exploring every single road.
The main objective in Horizon 6, as with previous installments, is to climb the ranks at the Horizon Festival, a series of interconnected racing events across Japan. These activities include drag races, dirt tracks, and stunts off cliffs. As players compete, they earn points to gain access to more events. The structure is flexible, letting players focus on preferred competitions while sidestepping others. Or, if you’re like me, you might skip most of them.
In my view, all races and achievements are just a means to an end: driving cool cars across Japan. Remarkably, you don’t need to spend much time on Horizon Festival events to do that. Most of the map is accessible from the start. After completing the game’s intro, I roamed freely, encountering only one blocked area that seems tied to late-game challenges.
Horizon 6 promotes exploration. Players follow two progression paths: Festival events and “Discover Japan,” which rewards experiences beyond winning races. There’s XP for navigating new routes, finding and smashing mascot statues, and participating in side quests, like helping a photographer or testing a mechanic’s experiments. My favorite missions involved locating hidden cars using photos, challenging me to rely on my observations. These tasks foster exploration, providing a sense of achievement even if you’re just taking pictures of vending machines.
However, enjoyment of Horizon 6 hinges on its playability, and it delivers. Balancing realism and accessibility, the driving experience is both forgiving and skill-dependent. Japan’s portrayal stands out, as location is key in open-world games. This fictional Japan compresses and adapts the real one for vehicular adventures. While there might be oddities, like pedestrian-free Shibuya Crossing, the game captures Japan’s essence — offering memorable moments like cruising through Tokyo’s rain-soaked streets at night. The map is dotted with secrets encouraging detours, and great in-game radio stations heighten the road trip vibe. I suggest lowering engine sounds and cranking up the music.
While I’ve largely avoided racing, it has its perks. Winning major races unlocks exceptional cars, and these events possess a cinematic feel akin to Fast and Furious movies with dramatic jumps, dynamic terrains, and even a race against a giant mech.
The beauty of Horizon 6 is its flexibility. Players can choose their experience, whether it’s racing or exploration, and pursue paths that intrigue them. For some, that’s fast cars and trophies; for me, it’s driving a refurbished Nissan truck through twisting forest paths with Rise Against’s music accompanying my journey.
Forza Horizon 6 launches on Xbox and PC on May 19th, with a PS5 version coming later in 2026.