I’m obsessed with Forza Horizon 6, and I’ve barely even raced

For the past week, I’ve spent every evening driving fast through the Japanese countryside, taking in the sights while playing Babymetal. forza horizon 6 Ostensibly it’s a racing game, in which you take on the role of an up-and-coming driver intent on making a name for himself. But, like the rest of the series, it’s also an open world, in which you can spend just as much – or, in my case, significantly more – time exploring as you do racing. And this is the element that has improved to a great extent horizon 6. It’s a combination of structure and setting: the fantasy take on Japan isn’t just the biggest map. horizon game, but it’s also incredibly diverse, and the game lets you adapt it to your liking. horizon 6 Ranging from the glittering streets of Tokyo to the snowy roads at the base of Mount Fuji, and I’m not going to stop until I’ve driven down every single one of them.

the goal stated in horizon 6Like its predecessors, rising up through the ranks in the Horizon Festival is a linked series of driving events spanning the same geographic area, in this case across Japan. This can include everything from drag races on dirt tracks to stunts on ramps placed precariously over the edge of a cliff. As you compete, you earn points, which will earn you wristbands which in turn will open up more events where you can earn even more points. It has a relatively open structure, allowing you to focus mostly on the competitions you enjoy or are good at and avoid the rest.

Or, if you’re like me, mostly avoid them all.

depending on the way i play horizon 6All racing and progression are a means to an end, and that goal is to drive great cars around Japan. And you don’t actually have to spend that much time competing in Horizon Festival events to do this. One reason for this is that almost the entire map is open to you from the beginning. As soon as I completed the game’s opening sequence, I went ahead and drove wherever I wanted; Apart from one surrounded area, which I think represents some late game race, I have yet to find anywhere I wasn’t able to go.

horizon 6 Encourages this type of exploration. There are two progression tracks in the game: one involving the Horizon Festival events, and the other called “Discover Japan”, which sounds like a tourism slogan and kind of is. Here you earn experience not by winning races or setting the best time, but by exploring almost everything. You get XP for traveling new roads, finding and smashing mascot characters (don’t worry, they’re statues), and doing various side quests that mostly boil down to going on a road trip with virtual friends. In one story, you’re helping a photographer capture incredible photos for a magazine cover; In another, you’re testing a mechanic’s various experiments by driving over difficult terrain that you might otherwise ignore.

My favorite tasks involved finding a collection of hidden cars based only on photographs. You’re given a snapshot of a rare Porsche or BMW, showing that it’s right next to a certain convenience store or within view of a particular bridge, and if you manage to find it, it’s all yours. These discoveries reminded me of a similar track to one of my favorite open-world games, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildImmersing me in the world by avoiding map markers and forcing me to trust my eyes. What all of these quests and goals have in common is that they not only encourage you to explore, but they also reward you for it. They give you a sense of progress and accomplishment, even if you’re mostly busy taking pictures of vending machines.

Of course, all this would be controversial if horizon 6 It wasn’t really that enjoyable to play, thankfully. The game balances realism with accessibility, resulting in a driving experience that can be unforgiving and arcade-y at times, but still requires skill and understanding of the vehicles to compete at a high level. More importantly, the new space is completely rule-bound. The setting of an open world game is almost always the most important aspect of the experience, and that’s certainly true. horizon 6Japan’s rendering.

It is a video game version of the country, condensed and redesigned entirely for vehicle exploration. It can be a little awkward sometimes; It feels strange to drive through Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, when there is no actual pedestrian crossing. But for the most part, horizon 6Japan reflects the spirit of the country, even if it is not an exact rendition of it. This means you still get those iconic moments – riding down rain-soaked roads at night as the bright lights of Tokyo blur behind you – but in a package that feels manageable despite its larger size. The map is also full of little secrets and collectibles that encourage you to go off the beaten path for fun. And the radio stations, like in the other games, are great, really enhancing the road trip experience. My advice is to turn the car volume down and the music up.

All that said, while I’ve mostly stayed out of racing, I can confirm that there are reasons to participate, even if you prefer the exploratory side of the game. For one thing, winning big races gets you some really cool cars. But at the same time, many of the big races have an incredible cinematic vibe that makes it feel like you’re speeding through a series of set pieces. fast and furious Movies; There are giant jumps, dynamic terrain and obstacles, and at one point – I kid you not – a race against a giant machine.

the best thing about horizon 6 The point is that you can pick and choose how you want to experience it. You are not limited to any track; You can do whatever you find most interesting, whether it’s competing or exploring, and follow that thread to new and interesting places. I’m sure for many people this means the fastest cars and lots of first place trophies. Me? I’m content taking a refurbished Nissan truck through winding forest roads, with Rise Against providing the soundtrack to my destructive path.

_{forza horizon 6 Launching on Xbox and PC on May 19th. The PS5 version is scheduled for later in 2026.}