Xbox Series X Critic Reviews

Forza Horizon 6 is exactly what the community has been dreaming of for a decade: the pinnacle of arcade driving transposed onto the backdrop of Japan. Playground Games' Tokyo is dense and technically superb—capable of delivering breathtaking vistas even on the Series S—yet it is impossible to ignore a sense of "stagnation" that feels perhaps a bit excessive. The structure, progression, and even the prologue faithfully mirror what was already seen in the Mexico of Forza Horizon 5; this risks making the sequel feel more like a majestic expansion than a true revolution. Not that this is a bad thing! [Hands-On Impressions]

Out of all the Forza Horizon games, this easily feels like the most iconic and diverse map so far, and I enjoyed every minute of it. [Hands-On Impressions]

Forza Horizon 6 is the exact sequel Horizon fans have been waiting for. A long time coming, the Japan location is definitely worth the wait. It’s stunning on the Series X in ways that are hard to describe, even if you are familiar with the country’s picturesque scenery. That, plus updates to core gameplay mechanics, like progression and even drifting, are making the wait for May even harder. [Hands-On Impressions]

The game is absolutely stunning—and that’s despite the fact that only one graphics mode was available on Xbox Series X|S (30 fps at 4K), though at launch, it will run at a smooth 60 fps. The level of detail is exactly what you would expect from a title aiming to succeed a graphical powerhouse like its predecessor, Forza Horizon 5; however, I did notice the lighting looking a bit blown out at times, and it exhibited glitches—for instance, when entering tunnels. It is to be expected that all of this will be fixed. [6-Hour Hands-On Impressions]

What I've seen is but a tiny snapshot of what's to come, but it's immediately clear that this is the most grandiose release to date. [Hands-On Impressions]

In short, we have no doubt that Forza Horizon 6 is going to be a great game, and it is clear to us that Playground has mastered this formula like few other studios in the industry. However, we also believe that—for such an established franchise—simply playing it safe and switching countries is no longer enough. Japan is a fine choice, the core foundation remains fantastic, and there are some promising details; yet, right now, we need to see far more evidence—and significantly more content—to determine whether we are witnessing a true leap forward for the series or merely another beautiful excursion to the Horizon Festival. [Hands-On Impressions]

For quite some time now, whenever a new Forza Horizon title is announced, we can be almost entirely certain that we will be treated to a very solid racing experience—one that also allows us to explore some exotic region of the world. Playground Games understands its own formula to perfection, and—at least so far—it has managed to successfully evolve it with each successive release. This first look at Forza Horizon 6 demonstrates that this trend is set to continue; while this is great news on one hand, it leaves us longing for something new and distinct for the series on the other. [Hands-On Impressions]

It seems Horizon 6 is trying to rein the franchise in a bit, though its wild opening is a reminder that this is still a Horizon sequel, so expect some exciting shenanigans, too. After playing a few hours of Forza Horizon 6, I’m excited to hop into the full game. [Hands-On Impressions]

But the heart wants what it wants, and it turns out that my heart wants a 1989 Nissan Silvia K's. Here is a slick urban delight, its body the colour of evening skies that announce the arrival of a summer storm. It's the car that I chose when the campaign started, and I quickly grew to love its air of 80s-tinged menace. It's fast while feeling as solid and consequential as a refrigerator falling from a third storey. You can turn pretty sweetly in it if you're trying a timing lap, but it still comes off like the kind of thing a mid-level businessman might once have used therapeutically to run over squirrels in the Mulholland Hills after a movie deal went south. [Hands-On Impressions]

Driving up a mountain as snowy roads stretch out into the distance is a sight to behold, and when you’re in the city at night, with neon signs reflecting against puddles, it’s clear this is one beautiful game. [Hands-On Impressions]