Forza Horizon 6 has finally arrived, and it might be the most complete open-world racing game Playground Games has ever built. Launched on May 19, 2026 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, this sixth mainline entry trades the deserts and jungles of its predecessor for the neon cities, mountain passes, and cherry-blossom backroads of Japan. With a Metacritic score of 91, our Forza Horizon 6 review digs into whether the hype is deserved and whether this is the racing game to beat in 2026.
The short answer: if you love cars, open worlds, and that unmistakable Horizon flow, this is close to a must-play. But there are a few rough edges worth knowing before you commit dozens of hours to the Horizon Festival.
A love letter to Japanese car culture
Setting a Forza Horizon game in Japan was an obvious dream for years, and Playground clearly understood the assignment. The open world stitches together dense urban districts inspired by Tokyo-style nightlife, winding touge mountain roads made for drifting, coastal highways, and quiet rural villages framed by seasonal foliage. It is the most visually varied Horizon map to date, and the dynamic seasons — a series staple — hit differently when spring cherry blossoms give way to snow-dusted mountain switchbacks.
Japanese car culture is woven into the fabric of the experience. Tuner icons, JDM legends, and drift-focused events all get room to shine, and the customization scene feels richer than ever. Even if you normally chase hypercars, you may find yourself falling in love with a perfectly tuned street car instead.
Gameplay: the Horizon formula, refined
If you have played a Horizon game before, the core loop will feel familiar: explore the map, enter races, earn credits and influence, unlock festival expansions, and slowly build a garage that reflects your taste. What Forza Horizon 6 does well is smooth out the friction. Progression feels generous without being mindless, event variety is strong, and the driving model remains the best in the business — approachable for newcomers on assists, deep and rewarding for veterans who turn everything off.
Drifting deserves a special mention. With Japan’s mountain roads as a backdrop, Playground leaned into drift events and scoring, and chaining a long, smoky run down a mountain pass is genuinely thrilling. The handling strikes that rare balance where an arcade racer still respects the weight and character of each car.
What’s new and improved
- Reworked seasons that change traction, visibility, and available events more meaningfully than before.
- Deeper tuning and livery tools, with a community sharing hub that is easier to browse.
- Smarter Drivatar AI that provides cleaner, more competitive racing.
- Improved accessibility options, from steering assists to UI scaling, making it welcoming for all skill levels.
Performance and visuals on PC
On capable hardware, Forza Horizon 6 is a showcase. Lighting, reflections, and weather effects are stunning, and the game scales well across a wide range of rigs. That said, PC players will want to spend a few minutes optimizing settings for the smoothest experience, especially if you are chasing high frame rates for those fast mountain descents. If your frame rate is not where you want it, our guide on the best PC settings to boost FPS can help you squeeze out extra performance without gutting the visuals.
Console players get a rock-solid experience out of the box, with performance and quality modes that both hold up well. Load times are quick, and the open world streams in seamlessly as you blast across the country.
The good, the bad, and the verdict
No game is perfect, and Forza Horizon 6 has a few familiar Horizon quirks. The story and festival narration can feel thin, the endless stream of unlock notifications is a little noisy, and if you have played several Horizon titles, the underlying structure will feel comfortable rather than revolutionary. These are minor complaints against an enormous, gorgeous, endlessly replayable package.
Pros
- The most beautiful and varied Horizon map yet
- Best-in-class driving and drifting feel
- Huge car roster with deep customization
- Generous, satisfying progression
Cons
- Familiar formula for series veterans
- Thin narrative and noisy UI notifications
Final verdict: 9/10
Forza Horizon 6 is a triumphant open-world racer that earns its 91 critical average. Whether you are a drift fanatic, a collector chasing rare hypercars, or a newcomer who just wants a beautiful game to relax with, this is one of the easiest recommendations of the year. It is a standout among the best PC games of 2026, and if you enjoy playing with friends, it also lands on our list of the best co-op games to play in 2026.
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Frequently asked questions about Forza Horizon 6
Is Forza Horizon 6 available on PS5?
No. Like previous entries in the series, Forza Horizon 6 is an Xbox and PC exclusive. It launched on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, and it’s available through Game Pass, which makes it an incredibly cost-effective way to play if you’re a subscriber. There is currently no PlayStation version, and given the series’ history as a first-party Xbox title, one is not expected. If you’re on PC, you can buy it directly or play it via a PC Game Pass subscription.
Is Forza Horizon 6 worth buying?
For most players, yes. With a 91 Metacritic average and our own 9/10 score, it’s one of the best-reviewed games of 2026. It offers hundreds of hours of content, a gorgeous open world set in Japan, and best-in-class driving. The only players who might hesitate are series veterans looking for radical reinvention, since the core formula is familiar. But as a complete, polished package, it’s an easy recommendation and a highlight among the best PC games of 2026.
Can you play Forza Horizon 6 with friends?
Absolutely. Forza Horizon 6 features robust online multiplayer, co-op convoys, and community events that let you explore and race alongside friends. It’s a great social experience, which is why it appears on our list of the best co-op games of 2026. You can cruise the open world together, take on races as a team, or simply show off your custom cars.
Do you need a powerful PC to run it?
Not necessarily. Forza Horizon games are known for excellent optimization, and FH6 scales well across a wide range of hardware. Mid-range PCs can run it beautifully, and even modest machines can achieve smooth performance with tuned settings. Check our FPS optimization guide to get the best balance of visuals and frame rate for your system.
How many cars are in Forza Horizon 6?
Like its predecessors, Forza Horizon 6 launches with a huge roster of hundreds of cars spanning classic JDM icons, modern hypercars, off-roaders, and more, with additional vehicles added regularly through updates and seasonal content. The collection and customization systems are a core part of the experience, giving you endless ways to build and personalize your dream garage.
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