Xbox Shows Off Forza Horizon 6's Stunning Japan Setting in New Biomes Showcase

Xbox has released a stunning new 'Biomes Showcase' video for Forza Horizon 6, offering a breathtaking tour of the game's Japan setting in 4K at 60 frames per second. The two-minute montage highlights diverse landscapes including highlands, alpine regions, coastal areas, mountains, and plains across the game's expanded Japanese playground.

What the Biomes Showcase reveals

According to Xbox's official video description, the showcase provides 'a special tour of the stunning biomes and contrasting landscapes of Forza Horizon 6's breathtaking Japan featuring the highlands, alpine region, coast, mountains and plains.' The footage, labelled as 'in-engine', demonstrates the visual fidelity players can expect when the game launches.

While the video doesn't specify whether it's running on Xbox Series X or high-end PC hardware, the quality suggests Playground Games has pushed the visual boundaries for the franchise. The diverse Japanese biomes offer dramatically different racing environments, from snow-capped mountain passes to tropical coastal roads.

Release dates confirmed across platforms

Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19 on Xbox Series X/S and PC, with a Premium Edition offering early access from May 15. However, PlayStation 5 owners will need to wait longer — the PS5 version arrives 'later in 2026', continuing Xbox's staggered release strategy for multiplatform titles.

This marks a significant shift for the Forza franchise, which has traditionally remained exclusive to Xbox and PC platforms. The delayed PlayStation release follows Microsoft's broader strategy of bringing first-party games to competing consoles after a timed exclusivity period.

Tokyo region five times larger than before

Developer Playground Games promises Forza Horizon 6's Tokyo region will be five times larger than anything the studio has created previously. The expanded urban environment features distinct districts, offering more variety for city-based racing and exploration.

Beyond Tokyo, the game introduces a customisable Estate feature — a large rural property in Japan that players can fully personalise. This builds on the traditional house system from previous games, which served as fast travel points and garages, but expands the concept into a more comprehensive base-building element.

New starting experience changes tradition

Breaking from series tradition, Forza Horizon 6 doesn't immediately place players into the Horizon Festival. Instead, the game begins with players as tourists in Japan who must qualify for the festival — a narrative shift that could provide more context for exploring the country's automotive culture.

This approach mirrors real-world tourism experiences, allowing players to discover Japan's landscapes and roads before earning their place in the prestigious racing event. It's a more grounded opening compared to the typically bombastic festival introductions of previous Horizon entries.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Forza Horizon 6 releasing?

Forza Horizon 6 releases May 19, 2026 on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Premium Edition buyers get early access from May 15. The PlayStation 5 version launches later in 2026.

What is the setting for Forza Horizon 6?

Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan, featuring diverse biomes including highlands, alpine regions, coastal areas, mountains, and plains. The Tokyo region is five times larger than previous Forza creations.

Will Forza Horizon 6 be available on PlayStation 5?

Yes, Forza Horizon 6 is confirmed for PlayStation 5, but it will release later in 2026 after the Xbox Series X/S and PC versions launch in May.

What's new in Forza Horizon 6's gameplay?

Players start as tourists in Japan rather than festival participants, must qualify for the Horizon Festival, and can customise a large Estate property in rural Japan alongside traditional house purchases.

Is the Biomes Showcase actual gameplay footage?

Xbox describes the showcase as 'in-engine footage' running at 4K and 60fps, though it doesn't specify whether it's captured on Xbox Series X or PC hardware.

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