Forza Horizon 6 review: pure video game joy at 200mph

May 15, 2026 - 02:07

The open-road fantasy of the Forza Horizon series has always been about escape, but the sixth entry redefines what that means. Playground Games has delivered a sandbox racer that manages the unthinkable: it truly feels like something for everyone. Whether you want to drift through neon-lit city streets, bash through muddy jungle trails, or meticulously tune a classic coupe for a perfect lap, this game lets you do it without ever feeling like you are fighting the controls or the menu system.

The setting is a fictionalized region of Southeast Asia, a sprawling map that blends dense tropical rainforests, sprawling coastal highways, and chaotic urban centers. The variety is staggering. One moment you are racing a hypercar across a suspension bridge at dusk, the next you are threading a rally truck through a bamboo forest. The dynamic weather system is more aggressive here, with sudden monsoon downpours turning asphalt into a slick, dangerous playground. The handling model remains the series' secret weapon: accessible enough for a casual player to feel heroic, yet deep enough for a sim enthusiast to find nuance in every gear change.

What truly sets Horizon 6 apart, however, is its sheer density of things to do. The campaign structure is loose, encouraging you to follow your own path. You can ignore the main story events for hours, getting lost in stunt jumps, speed traps, and the new "Eliminator" style battle royale mode that has been refined to near perfection. The car list is enormous, spanning decades of automotive history, and the audio design makes each engine feel distinct. It is a game that understands the simple, primal thrill of driving a beautiful machine very, very fast. There are minor frustrations, like the occasionally repetitive radio DJ chatter, but they are quickly forgotten when you crest a hill and see the sun set over a new horizon. This is not just a great racing game; it is a celebration of motion and freedom.