Riccardo Amalfitano
151 reviews
Latest: Forza Horizon 6
4News.itMay 14, 2026Score 92Pre-release Review
“Forza Horizon 6 isn’t a game that rewrites the rules of the series, but it’s much more than just a minor update. It’s the classic example of a sequel that knows its strengths inside out and chooses to build on them in the smartest possible way. The choice of Japan as the setting for the new Horizon Festival finally gives the series an identity perfectly suited to its nature: drift-friendly roads, illuminated cities, mountain passes and picturesque coastlines seem tailor-made for the kind of freedom and spectacle the series has always pursued. The overall impression is of a self-assured work, generous in content, immediately entertaining and, at the same time, richer in cultural subtext than in the past, all enhanced by a social-creative ecosystem that transforms the player into a protagonist and creator, rather than a mere spectator of the festival. The main limitation, if anything, is precisely its fidelity to the classic formula: those seeking a revolution might be disappointed that, all new features aside, the core of the experience remains the same as ever. But for those who love Forza Horizon, this is also its greatest strength, because the game never betrays its nature and indeed manages to give it a new, fresh and far more captivating look. Furthermore, the philosophical contrast with Forza Motorsport remains stark: here, there is none of the rigour of a track simulator, but rather a celebration of excess, freedom and spectacle that makes light-heartedness its hallmark; for some it is a virtue, for others a limitation, but it is a clear and consistent choice, which Horizon 6 embraces wholeheartedly, becoming the flagship of the Forza ecosystem On the Xbox Series X, then, the switch between 4K/30 fps and dynamic 4K/60 fps allows you to choose an experience truly suited to your taste (whether to prioritise image clarity or the smoothness of 60 fps), whilst the soundtrack – featuring 9 radio stations, the debut of J-pop and the largest tracklist ever seen in the series – is set to become one of the most memorable soundtracks ever for a driving game. All of this is framed by an exemplary focus on accessibility and quality of life, making the Japan of Forza Horizon 6 not only spectacular to look at, but also a delight to experience for a vast audience of players. Ultimately, Forza Horizon 6 stands as the culmination of Playground’s open-world racing vision: a gigantic automotive playground set in one of the settings most desired by fans, underpinned by top-tier technical production and a rare focus on accessibility and soundtrack. For fans of the series and anyone looking for a driving game that’s accessible, spectacular and vast, this new instalment has everything it takes to establish itself as the new gold standard of the genre on Xbox Series X.”
