Featured Image Credit: Xbox/Playground Games
Few games have generated as much momentum this year as Forza Horizon 6. The latest entry in Playground Games' acclaimed racing series has earned widespread critical praise, including a perfect 10/10 score from IGN, while also setting new player engagement records across the franchise. For a series that has consistently defined the open-world racing genre, it's another major achievement — and one that reinforces Forza Horizon 6's place as one of the biggest games in the industry right now.
This time, the Horizon Festival heads to Japan. Long considered one of the most requested locations in the series' history, Japan provides the backdrop for Horizon's most ambitious world yet. Players can explore a sprawling open world that moves between bustling city streets, mountain passes, countryside roads and coastal highways, creating a driving playground built around variety and discovery.
It's also the most dense map the series has delivered, with greater verticality and environmental diversity helping each region feel distinct. Whether you're chasing races, hunting collectibles or simply exploring, there's always something waiting around the next corner.
At the heart of the experience is a garage of more than 550 cars, giving players an enormous collection of vehicles to race, customise and master. The campaign begins with players arriving as a tourist before earning their place at the Horizon Festival and working towards becoming a Horizon Legend. Along the way, a new Collection Journal encourages exploration by tracking discoveries made throughout the world.
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The scale of the game is matched by its accessibility. Forza Horizon 6 is available on XBOX Series X|S, PC via the XBOX app and Steam, and through XBOX Cloud Gaming across supported mobile devices, tablets, handhelds and smart TVs. The Standard Edition is also included with XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, allowing subscribers to jump straight into one of the year's most talked-about releases.
Beyond the main campaign, Forza Horizon 6 has been designed to evolve over time. Players who qualify for the Horizon Festival gain access to the Festival Playlist, which introduces weekly challenges and events that reward new cars, clothing items and other unlockables. Future updates are also set to introduce Evolving World content, including seasonal Car Meets and new community-focused experiences.
Multiplayer remains a key part of the package. Players can explore Japan together through Convoys, participate in Shared World Meetups, tackle Horizon Play activities or simply cruise the open roads with friends. XBOX's Discord integration also makes it easier for players to connect with communities, organise sessions and share their in-game creations.
The success of Forza Horizon 6 is also part of a broader trend across XBOX Game Pass. As the service continues to bring together major AAA launches, breakout indie hits and community-driven favourites, it has become one of the easiest ways for players to discover what's new and worth playing.
Alongside Forza Horizon 6, subscribers can jump into titles generating plenty of conversation across the gaming community, including Mixtape, Escape the Backrooms and the highly anticipated Subnautica 2. With major showcases continuing to reveal upcoming additions and fresh experiences on the horizon, there's always something new to discover.
For racing fans, though, Forza Horizon 6 remains the headline act. Between its acclaimed reviews, record-breaking engagement and stunning recreation of Japan, it's a game that continues to set the standard for open-world racing.
Forza Horizon 6 is available now on XBOX Series X|S, PC and XBOX Cloud Gaming, and is included with XBOX Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
