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XPLog attended a recent Forza Horizon 6 preview event and explored the bulk of the game’s open world, with only the high-level bonus island withheld. The session confirmed that Playground Games has delivered a strong return to form, addressing many of the shortcomings felt in the previous instalment.
Horizon Japan: a visibly denser, more varied map
The most striking outcome of the preview is the scale and density of Horizon Japan. The map is easily the largest and most diverse the series has produced, with a tighter concentration of content, distinct biomes and a stronger sense of place than was evident in Forza Horizon 5. Where some recent entries occasionally felt thin between highlights, Horizon Japan consistently rewards exploration: towns, landmarks and off-road corridors are packed more closely together, making traversal feel purposeful rather than empty.
Playground’s environmental design leans into contrasts. Urban sprawl sits alongside coastal roads, mountainous passes and dense forests, producing a varied driving experience that encourages players to switch cars and playstyles with regularity. The preview loop showcased winding technical routes as well as high-speed open stretches, and the transitions between these areas feel natural rather than stitched together.
Gameplay and events: familiar pleasures, sharper presentation
The races and events sampled during the preview largely align with expectations for a modern Horizon title: a mix of curated showcase events, street races and off-road time trials. The core systems remain recognisable, but the surrounding world elevates these activities. Events are deployed across environments that better highlight vehicle strengths, and incidental encounters on the road feel more meaningful thanks to the denser map layout.
Driving feedback and car handling in the preview retained the series’ trademark accessibility, with nuance for players seeking deeper control. Visual presentation and environmental variety add momentum to routine activities, while the placement of points of interest encourages exploration beyond the immediate objectives.
Design choices and what they mean for the series
Forza Horizon 6 appears to remedy several issues raised about the prior entry. Where Horizon 5’s Mexico sometimes felt sparse between standout moments, Horizon Japan presents a consistently populated world that compels continuous engagement. That density benefits both single-player progression and the multiplayer horizon of spontaneous encounters and shared activities.
Playground Games’ decision to withhold the bonus island from the preview leaves some high-level content unassessed, but the rest of the map demonstrates a renewed focus on variety and density. If the remainder of the game sustains this quality, Horizon 6 could legitimately stake a claim as the series’ best entry to date.
Outlook
The preview paints Forza Horizon 6 as a confident evolution rather than a radical departure. Horizon Japan’s scope, environmental craft and tighter content density combine to create a more compelling open-world racing playground. With the game due next month, early impressions suggest Playground Games has addressed previous weaknesses and produced a compelling instalment for long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Coverage is based on access provided during the Forza Horizon 6 preview event, which granted access to the main open world and a selection of races and activities, excluding the high-level bonus island.