The Forza Horizon series is beloved by arcade racing fans, and with Forza Horizon 6 set to release in May, we are beginning to know more about what to expect when the next edition hits our gaming systems. Thankfully, news is far from sparse at this point, so while deep dives into the game’s systems may still be a little bit off, we have a good amount of information on what gameplay will be like. Here’s what we already know:
We’re Heading To Japan
The first piece of big information to look for around any Forza Horizon game is where the game will take place. After a festival in Mexico last time out, this latest edition will see gamers headed to the other side of the planet to hit the streets of Japan.
Japan is an intriguing choice for a Forza location. Not only is it a country that is famous for its aesthetic appeal, but it is also a major player in the automotive racing scene. Many of the most beloved street racing cars in the world came out of Japan, allowing gamers who pick up Forza Horizon 6 to let loose with both local vehicles and the other premier vehicles from around the world included in the game.
Seasonal Gameplay With Year-Round Snow Options
Weather conditions can play a big part in the world of racing, as anyone who has seen an F1 race and the frantic switch to wet-weather tires that arrives when the rain begins to fall. With Forza Horizon 6, the series will once again use a real rotating seasonal approach to weather in the game. This means that you can experience a dynamic game world that changes throughout a cycle from snow in winter to a revitalizing spring and the fall of leaves in autumn.
If the idea of snowy racing is appealing to you and you don’t like the idea of it being gated behind seasonal norms, don’t worry. The map will also include an alpine region, which allows you to go racing in the mountains of Japan. Because these mountaintops are cold all year round, there’s always the option for a winter wonderland race.
Obstacle Course Racing
The Horizon line of Forza games differentiates itself from the Forza Motorsports line by being a game that embraces a more arcade-style approach to racing, with zipper controls at the expense of a less-realistic simulation. Developers on the series understand this distinction and are always keen to include fun new modes that are fun to enjoy, even when you’ve only got a couple of thumbsticks to work with, not a complete simulated racing rig.
The latest entry to that tradition is the new obstacle courses being introduced in Forza Horizon 6. Information is still light on the specifics of the new mode, but these races could be a fun addition to the series.
Homebases To Unlock And Customize
As you progress through the Forza Horizon 6 career mode, you gain access to properties you can buy, which come with their own garages. These garages allow for an added level of customization, as you have the ability to get in and get decorating to curate the interior of your garage until it looks just right.
For players who are big fans of custom creation in games, this may prove to be a standout feature in the game. In addition to allowing you to show off your designs to others when they jump in on your game for some co-op, the garage designs you make can be uploaded and downloaded. This means if you come across a design you love but don’t have time to replicate it yourself, you can grab it from a friend, or you can look at designs by others around the world to find a look you love.
New And Improved Accessibility
The gaming market has taken major strides when it comes to accessibility in recent years. Between a greater understanding of the need for accessibility options to help gamers with disabilities enjoy games and a greater understanding of the value of these modes beyond “making things easy,” there has been more concern taken in development.
Forza Horizon 6’s official page discusses a wealth of accessibility options designed to make the game as approachable as possible for the full range of gamers. Accessibility options include a high contrast mode to make it easier to distinguish within the gaming world, car proximity warnings, and both American and British Sign Language inclusion. The game will also include a self-drive option for when you simply want to enjoy the beautiful sights on offer.
Aftermarket Cars In The World
Getting out and exploring the world of Forza Horizon 6 will come with the potential to unlock some special opportunities. Around the map, you can find aftermarket cars that may be rare themselves or include rare components.
Discovering these vehicles allows you to take them for a spin and see how it feels to get behind the wheel of them. If you like what you find, you can often get the aftermarket vehicle at a discount.
Cross-Save Compatibility
It’s more common than ever for gamers to have multiple systems on which they play games, between a gaming PC, home console, and mobile console, to say nothing of owning more than one of a given type. While cross-save is more enticing on games with free-to-play structures where it’s easy to jump between platforms, if you choose to grab Forza Horizon 6 on two or more platforms, you can now jump between them. This means that if you are playing on your Xbox but want to hit the road with a Steam Deck, you can do so if you own both the PC and Xbox versions, for example.
With the next Forza Horizon game just a few months away, are you excited for what is coming this May?
