Complex progression and a focus on sound: details from the closed Forza Horizon 6 preview
Details from an early Forza Horizon 6 preview have leaked online. Although the video and accompanying materials were quickly removed, information about the gameplay mechanics and the technical state of the project had already spread through the community. Judging by the first impressions, the developers at Playground Games have decided to somewhat change the direction of the series' development.
Game structure and a new progression system
The main change noted by testers is the move away from a “sandbox” where the player is showered with rewards from the very first minutes.
- Linear opening: The first 60 minutes of gameplay in the test build are strictly story-driven. Free exploration of the map and the customization menu only unlock after completing this introductory section.
- More demanding career: The progression system in the sixth installment has become more demanding. Unlike Forza Horizon 5, advancing through the festival feels like a challenge rather than simply accumulating points.
Environment and the scale of Tokyo
It has been confirmed that a significant part of the game world is dedicated to Tokyo. The city is positioned as the largest urban location in the history of the series — its territory is several times larger than the metropolises from previous games.
- Detail: Despite the lack of dense pedestrian traffic, the city looks “rich” and alive thanks to the high detail of objects and the thoroughness of the environment.
- Visuals: According to the leaker, the actual graphics in the game surpass what is shown in official promotional materials, providing deep immersion.
Technical specs and sound
The test build on Xbox Series X ran at 4K at 30 frames per second. However, the main technical highlight is said to be not the visuals, but the audio design.
- Engine sound: The realism of engine audio has been taken to a new level. The preview author notes that the detailed roar of engines in this installment is more impressive than the soundtrack.
Car roster
The early build featured around 15 cars. Notably, among them were models that had not been officially announced before and had not appeared in lists of available vehicles.
The overall impression from the leak is that the project looks like a more ambitious and technically complex sequel that bets on gameplay depth and the quality of the world.