As premium edition players jump into early access ahead of the full May 19 launch, ‘Forza Horizon 6’ has quickly become one of the biggest gaming releases of 2026. With reviews now flooding in across YouTube and gaming outlets, one thing has become impossible to ignore after analyzing multiple impressions and full reviews from critics: Japan is absolutely carrying the experience in the best way possible.
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Critics Keep Praising the Japan Setting
Across reviews from IGN, Gameranx, GamingBolt, and several other outlets, the overwhelming consensus centers around the game’s world design. Critics repeatedly praised Playground Games for finally bringing the Horizon Festival to Japan and delivering what many are calling the best map in franchise history.
That praise has also translated to review scores, with ‘Forza Horizon 6’ currently sitting at a 92 Metascore on Metacritic based on 65 critic reviews at the time of writing, making it one of the highest-rated games released in 2026 so far.
From Tokyo’s dense highways and Shibuya-inspired intersections to winding touge roads, snowy mountain regions, bamboo forests, and countryside routes, reviewers consistently described the map as immersive, rewarding, and difficult to stop exploring.
Multiple critics also pointed to the game’s attention to car culture as a major strength. Parking lots built for car meets, drifting-focused mountain roads, gas stations, hidden routes, and highly detailed roadside environments were all frequently mentioned as standout touches that make the world feel more believable and alive.
Driving and Exploration Continue To Shine
Another major point of agreement involved the driving feel itself. Reviews praised the improved handling, stronger front-end grip, refined controller feedback, and the game’s ability to continue balancing arcade accessibility with simulation-style depth.
Several reviewers also highlighted how rewarding exploration feels in ‘Forza Horizon 6,’ with the map constantly encouraging players to discover roads, events, hidden cars, side activities, and scenic locations without feeling forced.
One Common Criticism Across Reviews
While the overall reception has been extremely positive, there was one smaller criticism that appeared across multiple reviews.
Several critics felt ‘Forza Horizon 6’ does not radically reinvent the series formula. Showcase events, progression systems, and some mission structures were described as evolutionary rather than revolutionary for longtime players familiar with previous Horizon entries.
Even with that criticism, the overall takeaway remained overwhelmingly positive. The common thread across nearly every review was clear: Playground Games finally delivered the Japan setting fans had wanted for years, and for many critics, it resulted in the strongest Horizon world the franchise has ever produced.