Excitement is building as Microsoft gets ready to deliver its next big open-world racing adventure, Forza Horizon 6. A hands-on preview is officially expected to go live on April 8, but a leaked set of early impressions briefly surfaced ahead of time from a YouTuber who had access to an Xbox Series X test build. The video has since been taken down, yet detailed summaries of what was said continue to circulate—and they paint a promising picture for anyone worried about what they saw in recent trailers.
One of the biggest talking points has been how “alive” the game world feels. A widely discussed earlier video sparked concern by showing empty roads with little traffic, leading some fans to fear that the new map might look impressive but feel lifeless. According to the leaked impressions, that concern may be overblown. The player reportedly encountered plenty of traffic and general activity while driving around, suggesting the final release should deliver a busier, more believable atmosphere.
The setting itself is also said to be a major highlight. Forza Horizon 6 takes players to Japan, with Tokyo and its surrounding areas forming the core of the open-world map. In the leaked playtest, once the initial progression segment (roughly an hour) was complete, the player could freely explore the city and nearby regions. The YouTuber described Tokyo as huge—claiming it’s about five times larger than the Guanajuato area from Forza Horizon 5—and noted that the city is packed with recognizable buildings that should make cruising around feel distinctly “Tokyo,” not just a generic urban environment.
There are also some early details on performance. The build being tested was reportedly locked to 4K at 30 frames per second, but Xbox Series X players should have a 60fps performance mode option in the full game. As is typical, that smoother mode may come with a trade-off in image clarity, but it’s good news for racers who prioritize responsiveness and fluid motion at high speed.
Another area where Forza Horizon 6 may surprise longtime fans is difficulty and progression. The developers have promised a stronger sense of earned progression this time around, which has been a point of skepticism for players who felt earlier entries made it too easy to collect cars and blaze through events. Even though the leaked build is just an early slice of the game, the player reportedly found the opening races more challenging than expected and struggled to secure a top-three finish in an early event. They also mentioned not seeing any wheel spins yet, which could mean rewards and upgrades are paced more carefully in the new progression system.
Overall, the early impression was extremely positive. The YouTuber reportedly called Forza Horizon 6 the most beautiful game they’ve ever seen and praised how addictive it feels to play—strong words for a series already known for its visual polish and satisfying driving.
More official hands-on opinions are expected when the scheduled preview coverage arrives on April 8. Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19 on Xbox and PC. A PlayStation 5 version is planned, but it’s expected to arrive later in 2026.
