This is a pre-release guide based on official announcements, trailers, and series knowledge from previous Forza Horizon titles. Details may change in the final release version on May 18, 2026.
Welcome to the Horizon Festival
Forza Horizon 6 brings the world's greatest car festival to Japan for the first time. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, the opening hours of Horizon 6 are designed to get you behind the wheel fast.
Starting Your Journey
The game begins with the signature Horizon Festival intro — a cinematic drive that showcases the stunning Japanese landscape. Based on the announcement trailer and series tradition, you can expect:
- The Opening Drive — A scripted showcase segment where you get a taste of high-speed driving through iconic Japanese locations
- Your First Car Choice — Typically a choice between 3 starter vehicles (a sporty coupe, a hot hatch, and an off-road option)
- Festival Introduction — Meeting the festival crew and getting your first wristband
Understanding the Basics
Driving Model
Forza Horizon strikes a balance between arcade fun and simulation feel. Key things to know:
- Braking is optional — but learning to brake properly will make you faster
- Rewind feature — if you mess up, press the rewind button (Y on controller, usually) to undo mistakes
- Driving assists — can be toggled in settings: ABS, traction control, stability control, and automatic/manual transmission
- Road surface matters — asphalt, gravel, and off-road all handle differently
The Festival System
Your progression is tied to the Festival. As you earn XP and influence, you'll unlock:
- New festival outposts — across different regions of Japan
- More events — races, stunts, and showcases
- Car mastery perks — unique bonuses for each vehicle
- Wheelspin rewards — free spins for cars, credits, and cosmetics
First Things to Do
- Complete the intro sequence — unlocks the full open world
- Visit your first festival outpost — fast travel hub
- Buy or win your second car — coverage for a different race type
- Find your first Bonus Board — easy XP early on
- Try an off-road race — completely different feel from road racing
Controls Reference
| Action | Xbox Controller | Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerate | RT | W / Up |
| Brake/Reverse | LT | S / Down |
| Steer | Left Stick | A / D |
| Handbrake | A (Button) | Space |
| Rewind | Y | R |
| Change Camera | Change View | C |
| Map | View Button | M |
Difficulty Settings
Don't be afraid to adjust the difficulty. The game lets you change nearly everything on the fly:
- Drivatar difficulty — from "Highly Skilled" down to "New Driver"
- Assists — full ABS, traction control, and steering assistance available
- Rewind — always available, no penalty for using it
- Race line — full driving line with braking indicators is recommended for beginners
The best difficulty is the one you enjoy. You can always crank it up later for more rewards.
Ready to dive deeper? Check out our Best Cars Tier List to plan which vehicles to aim for first.