Thanks to Xbox's invitation, we got early access to a preview version of Forza Horizon 6, set for release on May 19. We experienced about an hour of race events including the prologue, explored nearly the entire open-world map, and tried out vehicle customization and other rich content. This gave us a general understanding of this highly anticipated title, which has also raised doubts among some players about whether a Western development team can authentically recreate Japan's urban landscapes and unique JDM tuning culture. If you're a fan of the series or have a passion for Japanese car culture, we hope this preview report answers some of your questions about the game.
The demo begins with the series' classic Horizon Festival opening race. After unveiling the festival by driving three distinctly styled cars through dynamically changing seasons, I entered the freely explorable open-world map. This installment breaks series records again in map size, featuring diverse terrains such as cities, mountains, and plains, along with unique Japanese natural landscapes that shift with dynamic seasons. The most anticipated aspect is undoubtedly the Tokyo metropolitan area, which officials claim is more than five times larger than the urban areas in the previous Mexico-based entry. Here, you'll see densely packed high-rises adorned with numerous billboards, characteristic of modern Japanese cities, as well as a more complex and multi-layered urban transportation network than in previous entries—including the beloved Shuto Expressway and iconic Tokyo landmarks such as Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, and Shibuya Crossing.
In short, Everythinggj here aligns perfectly with the stereotypical impressions of Tokyo that overseas visitors often form from films and TV shows. Of course, this isn't due to any lack of research by the development team—after all, this is fundamentally a racing game focused on driving pleasure and exploratory freedom, not a realistic tourism simulator. It's naturally impossible to recreate all 22 wards of Tokyo in exact 1:1 detail. As long as the overall vibe captures about 60-70% of the essence, most players will likely be satisfied.
As for the many players who complained after seeing the game's initial reveal that Japanese streets aren't actually as wide as they appear in-game, this didn't significantly impact immersion during the demo. After all, if the roads were made as narrow as they are in reality and traffic density matched real-life levels, drifting and street racing would be nearly impossible without exceptional skill—you'd likely crash ten times within just 100 meters, ruining the gaming experience entirely. Moreover, Forza Horizon 6 introduces AI drivers and roadside spectators, bringing the city to life. Combined with the glow of neon lights at night, the atmosphere truly comes alive.
Besides the bustling cityscapes, the rural areas in Forza Horizon 6 also left a positive impression on me. It's not that I particularly enjoy the stereotypical, mass-produced Japanese houses and cherry blossom trees casually placed along roadsides; rather, the game includes many complex mountainous regions allowing players to fully experience Japan's unique touge (mountain pass) driving culture—including Mount Haruna, the real-life inspiration for Akina Mountain featured in Initial D. Additionally, the northern part of the map features a large section of the Japanese Alps, where roads are covered in thick snow. Without proper snow tires, progress becomes nearly impossible. Therefore, I'm eager to see if the full game will feature more races tailored to these special terrain and climate zones, highlighting regional differences instead of relying merely on dust storms to represent local environmental characteristics as seen in previous entries.
Beyond track and landscape diversity, Forza Horizon 6 also introduces new gameplay mechanics and interactions for open-world exploration. For example, although purchasable vehicles were limited in the demo, players could find collectible cars scattered across the map during exploration. Unlike the barn finds from previous games, these are ready-to-buy pre-modified vehicles, often offered at discounted prices, serving as an incentive for players to explore the map more thoroughly.
Additionally, players can now encounter special events on the map that can be started immediately without waiting. These include drag races requiring attention to starting lights, time trials with automatic lap calculations, and more. Each event has its own dedicated track and supports instant join-in-play without restrictions on vehicles or player level, adding a social element and enhancing the multiplayer enjoyment of the open world.
In contrast, the three official races provided in this demo didn't bring much surprise—whether off-road racing, street racing, or circuit racing, they appeared largely unchanged from previous titles. Additionally, since the demo's season was locked to spring, I couldn't assess how seasonal changes might affect the tracks. We'll have to wait until the full release to draw conclusions on that front.
Now that we've covered the map, let's talk about another major point of interest for players: the cars.
As everyone knows, Japan is a country where tuning culture thrives. The widely recognized term JDM originally referred to vehicle models and parts sold exclusively in the Japanese domestic market. After flourishing during Japan's bubble economy era in the 20th century, it has evolved into a global automotive cultural symbol. This movement not only produced iconic models like the Mazda RX-7, Nissan GT-R, and Toyota Supra, but also significantly boosted the rise of domestic Japanese tuning brands. For Forza Horizon 6 to earn recognition from hardcore car enthusiasts, the developers must demonstrate their respect for Japanese vehicles and deep understanding of Japan's tuning culture within the game.
Regarding the former concern, players need not worry—based on both the officially announced launch vehicle roster and the brands available for purchase in this demo, Japanese cars hold the most prominent position in the series to date. In terms of driving feel, I found the default tuning of several starter models in this demo quite satisfactory. Especially given the map's many sharp turns, I felt these stock Japanese cars could drift more easily than in the previous game even without modifications. Incidentally, Forza Horizon 6 has finally revamped the first-person driving animations—drivers now turn the steering wheel with greater range of motion, including alternating hand movements, significantly enhancing immersion.
Regarding vehicle customization, although developers previously promised in interviews that every car would receive compatible modification kits, the actual customization options available in this demo haven't changed much compared to Forza Horizon 5. Aside from visibly increased wheel choices, various brand-specific body kits, the previously advertised K-cars, and more detailed decal features were not fully accessible in this demo. We'll have to wait for the full release to properly evaluate these aspects.
Beyond modifying body parts, Forza Horizon 6 also introduces garage customization features. Players can decorate their garages according to personal preferences and showcase their prized vehicles. In the full version, players will be able to visit each other's garages and download custom designs. Multiple famous street meet-up spots will also appear on the map, facilitating online interactions where players can admire each other's cars. If impressed, players can directly copy others' modification setups and paint schemes, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for customization and allowing more players to conveniently enjoy the fun of tuning cars.
Based on these demo impressions, I genuinely believe Forza Horizon 6 will be the most significantly changed entry in recent years. Japan's unique urban landscape and vibrant cultural industry provide the game with additional avenues to attract players beyond just racing. For instance, I'm particularly curious about how the mechas teased in the trailer will appear in-game. If the development team handles these elements well, Forza Horizon 6 could potentially elevate the series to new heights. Whether it achieves renewed glory or remains stagnant, we'll only know once the game officially launches.