NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
If you’ve been a fan of Forza Horizon, then it’ll be more of the same from the racing franchise, and that’s not a bad thing. Despite this being the sixth Forza Horizon, it’s the 14th in the franchise, so they have plenty of practice.
From Forza.net
In Forza Horizon 6, you will explore a vast campaign of discovery and Festival racing, playable solo and in co-op with your friends. You’ll start as a tourist and must prove you’ve got what it takes to join the Horizon Festival as a rookie driver, all while you discover Japan and complete your Collection Journal. Qualify for the Festival in the Horizon Invitational, then rise through the ranks in progressively faster cars and earn new Wristbands to become a Horizon Legend. Your newfound status will grant you access to Legend Island, an exclusive space reserved for the greatest drivers.
Forza Horizon 6 has made some upgrades, but there are still some misses. However, the racer is what Horizon lovers will enjoy. Big races, XP boards, barn finds, and car customization are all on the table. With the exception of the cherry blossom trees, Horizon finally lets you drive through most trees. That’s a small upgrade, but you’ll never understand the frustration of gaining XP for skill points, getting ruined by the one random tree in the field you can’t drive through.
This wasn’t a game I could review fairly after the first day. This was going to take some significant time and play to judge it fairly. If you loved its predecessors, then it’ll be more of the same with this one, but with a twist. Some of the most fun parts of the game have nothing to do with the races themselves. Finding the cars and driving through the countryside and cities to try them out is a great way to unwind after a long day.
I wouldn’t recommend racing after a hard day with the fabled Bowie Knife on the track, especially with the harder difficulty settings. That Drivatar can be an AI menace. There are delivery driver missions, houses to buy and customize, and cars to tune.
One of the more disappointing parts of Forza Horizon is the music. Unless I’ve missed it, it would be nice to have a customizable radio station to listen to your own tunes as you drive around. I’m sure that adds way too much programming to work, but it would be nice.
Forza Horizon 6 is fun for both casual gamers and the ultra-competitive. The franchise has found ways to stay relevant with familiarity and feeling new as well. If you’ve played the rest, then this one should be at the top of the list.
