Forza Horizon 6 review: Does open-world racing get better than this?

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A star rating of 5 out of 5.

I’m definitely one of those people who visited Japan once and now talks about it constantly. And I suspect the developers of Forza Horizon 6 might be the same way.

I was really looking forward to reviewing this game because it promised a vast, open-world version of modern Japan. My biggest question going in was whether it could recreate the feeling of actually being there.

The game’s visuals were truly impressive. It beautifully recreated everything from sweeping mountain views reminiscent of Mount Fuji to the narrow streets of historic towns, bustling cityscapes, and iconic locations like Tokyo Tower, bringing back fond memories of actually being there.

It was strange to return to a place I’d recently visited and find it completely changed, turned into a racetrack. Seeing the famous Shibuya Scramble crossing, usually packed with tourists taking photos, empty and lifeless, felt particularly odd.

Japan is a special place because of its culture and people, but this game focuses on fast-paced car action – racing, jumping, and having fun behind the wheel. While it would have been nice to be able to get out of the car and experience some of that culture, like enjoying a local snack, it’s understandable that the game prioritizes the driving experience.

The more I played, the less I thought about what I’d expected from a Japanese racing game. Instead, I started to wonder: could open-world racing possibly get any better than this?

Honestly, I couldn’t find any problems with the game that the developers hadn’t already thought of and fixed.

When I first started playing, I crashed a lot – spinning out and flipping my car often forced me to use the rewind feature. Luckily, the game has excellent difficulty settings, and after adjusting them, the controls felt much more manageable. Soon, I was having a great time!

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At the beginning of the game, I was a little concerned there wouldn’t be a strong enough story to keep me engaged, since I really enjoy games with compelling narratives.

As I played more, I discovered a variety of missions that were more engaging. I especially enjoyed the ‘Visit Japan’ tour missions, which walked me through interesting locations while also teaching me about Japanese cars and landmarks.

I eventually started to get tired of just driving and racing, so I looked for something else to do. I found some food delivery missions, and having a clear goal actually made the game much more enjoyable. Plus, those missions were surprisingly funny!

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I rarely give five-star reviews, but this product truly deserves it – I honestly can’t find anything wrong with it.

No matter how much time you have – a quick break or a whole night – you’re sure to find something enjoyable. And be prepared to be amazed by the spectacular moments – like the giant robot battles you might have glimpsed in the trailers!

If you like racing games, you’ll probably have fun with this one. I’m excited to see what additional content and partnerships might be added later on.

Turn 10 Studios excels at building huge, open-world environments filled with tons of activities. They give you a massive selection of vehicles and let you explore and simply have fun. Put on some music, start your engine, and enjoy the ride!

If you’re a fan of open-world racing games, look no further – this is the best one out there. You won’t be disappointed!

Honestly, this game is perfect for me right now – I’m totally satisfied. But, just so you know, it’s also made me seriously start browsing flights to Japan! I think it’s sparked a real wanderlust.

Forza Horizon 6 will be available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and through Xbox Game Pass starting May 19th. If you purchase the Premium Edition, you can start playing on April 15th with early access. Our review was based on the Xbox Series X version.

Authors

Rob LeaneGaming Editor

Rob Leane leads gaming coverage at TopMob, managing content for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, mobile, and VR games. He creates content for TopMob’s website, social media, and video platforms, and also produces their weekly gaming newsletter. Before TopMob, Rob worked at Den of Geek, Stealth Optional, and Dennis Publishing.

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2026-05-14 15:35