Forza Horizon 6 is essential for Xbox’s next chapter.
It’s an interesting time for Xbox. With new leadership at Microsoft’s gaming division, there’s a clear push for what they call “a renewed commitment to Xbox.” However, with the brand’s identity feeling a bit muddled, it’s crucial for Xbox to deliver a game that truly represents what it stands for. Enter Forza Horizon 6, arriving at just the right moment.
Set to launch next month, I recently got my hands on a preview version, and I was genuinely impressed. The standout feature of Horizon 6 is its expansive setting in Japan, which offers a massive and diverse map. One moment, you’re speeding past Tokyo’s towering skyscrapers, and the next, you’re navigating narrow country roads. It felt like a quick detour in any direction would lead to a brand-new landscape, encouraging exploration and adventure.
As with previous entries in the series, there’s a light narrative where you play as an aspiring racer aiming to climb the ranks of the Horizon festival. You’ll tackle various events, from racing through rain-soaked city streets to off-roading on stunning beaches. There are even moments where you’ll need to drift down winding bridges. While I engaged in these events to progress, I found myself easily distracted, as the sheer joy of driving in Forza Horizon 6 kept pulling me into the world. The combination of fun driving mechanics and a sprawling, varied map makes it easy to lose track of time just exploring.
Of course, there’s still a lot of the game I haven’t experienced. I’ve only driven a few cars, mainly a Toyota Celica, and the true test will be whether the game remains engaging after many hours of play. However, it’s no surprise that this installment is shaping up to be another strong entry in the series. While some major franchises have struggled under Microsoft’s banner, Forza Horizon has consistently delivered quality. The series alternates between the simulation-focused Motorsport games and the more arcade-style Horizon releases, with the latter always impressing.
In contrast, other major Xbox franchises have faced challenges. Gears of War: E-Day is set to release this year, six years after the last mainline game, and the only known Halo project is a remake. Fable is finally making its debut in 2026, years after its announcement and several delays, while the next Elder Scrolls and Fallout 5 are likely still far off. And let’s not even mention Viva Piñata.
Like many aspects of gaming, the future of Forza is uncertain. A year ago, Microsoft laid off thousands of employees, and while Playground Games, the developer behind Horizon, emerged relatively unscathed, Turn 10, the studio behind Forza Motorsport, faced significant cuts. After years of stability, these new challenges could complicate maintaining the series’ consistency.
Despite these uncertainties, Forza Horizon has remained a strong and reliable franchise, even becoming a bestseller on PlayStation. Coincidentally, the launch of Forza Horizon 6 as the first major release following Xbox’s leadership changes positions it to symbolize this new chapter for the brand. From my experience, it’s a promising indication of what Xbox can achieve.
Regardless of the future of the next Xbox console or the company’s mixed multiplatform strategies, the Xbox brand needs standout titles. Microsoft gaming’s new CEO, Asha Sharma, emphasized this when she took over from Phil Spencer, stating, “We must have great games beloved by players before we do anything.” There are few better ways to kick off this mission than with a new Forza Horizon.
