Broken progression and lackluster career mode have been among long-standing complaints about Forza Horizon games. The next installment is finally fixing that.
About a month ago, Playground Games announced the first details about Forza Horizon 6, the next installment in the franchise, expected to launch later this year in May. Set in Japan, Forza Horizon 6 is set to bring a lot of improvements and address plenty of criticism from gamers. One of those complaints is poor progression and a lackluster career mode.
Modern Forza Horizon games are not what you call challenging games. They shower gamers with credits, XP, and cars for doing anything or nothing at all, literally, breaking progression and making it feel less rewarding. In Forza Horizon 6, Playground Games wants to change that, as explained in a new blog post on the official website.
In Forza Horizon 6, players are not “horizon superstars.” They are puny tourists who arrived in the country to start their automotive careers. They will be paired with two locals: Mei and Jordy. Jordy is a “passionate motorsports enthusiasts,” while Mei has extensive experience in car building and local culture. These two will help you explore Japan and get to the high ranks of Horizon.
The progression works by means of Wristbands that you earn by completing special Showcase Events at Tokyo City Docks, the Sotoyama Ski Resort and Irokawa Space Center. After obtaining all seven Wristbands, you will earn your Horizon Legend rank, which, in turn, will open you access to Legend Island with unique events, Legend Island Circuit, and more. Interestingly, for the first time in modern history, hypercars will not be available for racing straight away. You will be able to take your Lamborghini or Bugatti to a track only after earning at least the Purple Wristband in the late game.
Playground Games says that in addition to a progression-driven structure, gamers are free to explore the area as they wish. For example, they can earn Stamps by doing side hustles (delivering food), collecting cars, taking photos, and more. Collecting these stamps will unlock new player houses across the map, barn find rumors, customizable garages, and The Estate, which is a valley where you can build your own crib.
Forza Horizon 6 is coming on May 19 on PC and Xbox Series X|S. Players can get early access to the game on May 15 after purchasing the Premium Edition (this will also give you an exclusive, pre-tuned Ferrari J50). PlayStation 5 is also getting Forza Horizon 6, albeit at a later date, somewhere in 2026.
