A few hours ago, IGN kicked off its Forza Horizon 6 IGN First coverage with a 9-minute gameplay video of "scenic driving" across the game's stunning rendition of Japan. The footage covers a cruise from the south of the map through various biomes, into the outskirts of Tokyo, around its fringe, and back north, ending at one of the game's permanent race circuits. These multiple distinct biomes blend into each other nicely, based on the video.
IGN clarified that the traffic in the gameplay video was deliberately toned down by Playground Games to help viewers absorb the surroundings and biomes rather than navigate a busy road environment. So, when actually playing Forza Horizon 6, you'll probably encounter a bit more traffic.
The gameplay video was captured in a Saleen S7, though this was apparently a bit of a random choice. The actual cover car is the Toyota GR GT. IGN explained it couldn't be shown in Forza Horizon 6 gameplay at this stage because it hasn't yet been cleared and signed off by the manufacturer, as is standard practice for licensed racing games.
The outlet also noted that the British developer has built specific features and experiences to cater to those players who simply launch the game and "vibe drive", that is to say, they don't have a specific goal, race, or even direction in mind and just enjoy roaming the scenery.
IGN also said that Horizon/Forza Edition cars (special variants of existing cars with unique bonuses) are returning in Forza Horizon 6 and have been significantly improved compared to previous entries, though they did not elaborate further. Perhaps it will be in the upcoming coverage alongside info on the new event types and customization improvements.
Forza Horizon 6 is speeding toward its May 19 launch date, so expect a lot more details from Playground Games in the coming weeks. As a reminder, the game will launch on PC and Xbox Series S and X, with the PlayStation 5 coming later this year.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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