Forza Horizon 6 Is Better Than Forza Horizon 5 In More Ways Than You Think

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Wow, it feels like forever since Forza Horizon 5 came out, and then ages after they first announced Forza Horizon 6! But the wait is finally over! Forza Horizon 6 is officially here on Xbox Series X/S and PC. And it’s HUGE! It’s already broken records on Steam as the biggest Xbox Game Studios launch ever, with millions of us jumping in to play. I’m so excited!

So, what makes Forza Horizon 6 stand out? While it’s receiving incredible reviews – currently the top-rated game of the year on Metacritic and Opencritic – it’s important to remember that Forza Horizon 5 was also hugely popular. What does the sequel offer beyond simply being an open-world racing game set in Japan? Let’s explore ten ways it improves upon its predecessor, starting with…

Progression Actually Feels Earned

While Forza Horizon 5 offered a huge, open experience with tons of cars and activities right away, Forza Horizon 6 adds more focus and progression. You start as a visitor to Japan, not a seasoned racer, and need to work your way into the Horizon Festival and unlock better cars. The new Wristband system gives you clear goals to achieve. You’ll still have plenty of cars to choose from, but you won’t get access to the fastest ones instantly – you’ll actually have to earn them.

Better Structure With Wristbands

The Wristband system isn’t just about unlocking new areas; it’s central to your overall experience and progression towards becoming a legendary player, ultimately granting access to Legend Island. It provides a clear, long-term goal – including a massive 53.1-mile challenge called The Goliath – and rewards you for exploring the magical world of Japan, giving you something to strive for even as you enjoy the journey.

Exploration and Goals

Open-world games often feel like endless checklists of tasks – go to this place, finish that challenge, eliminate that obstacle, and repeat. While the latest installment includes similar activities, it adds a real sense of purpose through a new Collection Journal and Stamp system. Instead of just finding things for experience points, you’re encouraged to appreciate landmarks, take photos, and document your accomplishments. While the rewards are good, the joy of discovering new things feels stronger than it did in Forza Horizon 5.

Improved Fast Travel

Exploration and fast travel work a bit differently in the latest Forza Horizon. Unlike the previous game, where you had to purchase properties and unlock fast travel points, this time it’s free from the beginning. However, you can only fast travel to places you’ve already driven. This encourages you to actually explore the world, making even simple drives feel productive, and makes it easier to revisit interesting locations you find.

A Land of Contrasts

Having a lot of different experiences makes life interesting, and that’s especially true in open-world racing games. While Mexico did a good job of offering variety, Forza Horizon 6 takes it to the next level. Japan, with Tokyo City as its vibrant center, provides a beautiful mix of landscapes and environments. You’ll quickly move from snowy mountains and country roads to peaceful neighborhoods and challenging mountain passes ideal for racing. This reflects Japan itself – a country where old traditions meet modern life – and creates an incredibly diverse and engaging experience.

The Best Urban Driving Yet

We have to talk about Tokyo – it’s unlike anything we’ve seen in a Horizon game before. While the city in Forza Horizon 5 was sizable, Tokyo is five times bigger, offering incredible variety across its different areas and a level of city exploration we haven’t experienced yet. You can go from speeding through tight streets making deliveries to competing in vibrant street races, all within a city built with multiple layers, giving it a unique sense of height and depth.

Car Meets and Cultural Exchange

Look, Forza Horizon 5‘s multiplayer was a bit of a mixed bag, but I appreciated that they were trying to get people playing together, especially with convoys and EventLab. But Forza Horizon 6 really takes that to the next level. They’ve added these awesome Car Meets – places like Okuibuki and Daikoku – where you can actually hang out with other players and show off your rides. It’s not just about flexing, though. Being around other car fans lets you discover cool designs to download and even find out about cars you didn’t even know existed. Honestly, even if I don’t make any new buddies, it’s just a total immersion in car culture, and I’m here for it.

The Sounds of Japan

To truly experience Japan in Forza Horizon 6, you need to both see and hear it. The game features updated engine sounds and realistic audio, but it goes further, incorporating actual recordings captured across Japan in different seasons. The soundtrack is packed with popular Japanese artists like ZUTOMAYO, Yoasobi, KANA-BOON, Ado, and the iconic Hikaru Utada. All these elements combine to create a uniquely immersive and special atmosphere.

Customization And Player Ownership

Building on the game’s focus on exploring Japan, Forza Horizon 6 lets you truly make the country your own. While Forza Horizon 5 offered garages to collect cars, Forza Horizon 6 takes customization much further. You can now build and personalize your own home base, called the Estate, and even invite friends to visit. The game also significantly expands vehicle customization options, adding features like window decals and hundreds of new parts to personalize your rides.

“What’s Next” UI Page

It doesn’t matter how much content a game has, or how many ways there are to play with others, if players can’t easily find it. Forza Horizon 6 solves this problem with a “What’s Next” page. This page helps players understand what to do next and guides them on their path to becoming a Horizon Legend.

There’s no question that Forza Horizon 5 remains a top-tier racing game and a truly impressive open-world experience. Its Mexico setting is beautifully realized and incredibly detailed. However, players were eager for a fresh location that felt unique, and Forza Horizon 6 successfully delivers, taking the entire series to the next level.

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2026-05-22 18:47