《極限競速：地平線 6》是由 Playground Games 開發、Xbox Game Studios發行的開放世界賽車遊戲，於2026年在Xbox Series X|S 與PC平台首發，並將加入 Xbox Game Pass，隨後也可能登陸PlayStation 5。將玩家帶入日本，探索這個文化與自然景觀兼具的國度，並在Horizon嘉年華中締造屬於自己的賽車傳奇。

故事與世界背景延續系列一貫的嘉年華氛圍，但此次將舞台設在日本，這個選擇不僅因其獨特的汽車文化、音樂與時尚，更是長期受到玩家熱烈期待的地點。為呈現真正的日本風貌，微軟與文化顧問Kyoko Yamashita合作，確保遊戲中的細節真實可信，例如街區的聲音、商店招牌的顏色、鄰里氛圍的生活感等，避免文化刻板印象，打造一個既豐富又具有沉浸感的世界。將穿梭於東京的霓虹街道與高樓之間，也能體驗日本鄉村與山林的自然美景，其中包括經典的富士山與櫻花盛開的季節變化，四季的流轉將影響遊戲景觀與互動內容，讓玩家感受到更真實的日本風情。

在操作與玩法上延續Forza Horizon系列的核心特色，自由探索開放世界，參與各式賽事、挑戰活動與嘉年華活動。雖然官方尚未公開完整的遊戲實機畫面，但已確認遊戲將呈現真實季節變化，並結合日本特有的汽車文化，包括精緻的漂移技術、改裝熱潮、迷你車與文化特色車款，打造多層次的駕駛體驗。探索過程中不僅能享受高速賽道的激情，還能在城市、鄉村與山區感受環境互動帶來的多樣樂趣。

從市場反應來看，自宣佈以來便吸引極大關注。日本作為全新舞台，加上加入Game Pass的策略，使玩家群體期待值高漲。系列以往在世界各地的成功，例如法國、義大利、墨西哥、澳洲和英國的開放世界賽車體驗，這次日本舞台將帶來更高的沉浸感與探索自由度。媒體普遍認為，開發團隊對文化細節的重視、四季環境影響的設計，以及賽車多樣化的玩法，都可能讓本作成為次世代主機上最受期待的賽車遊戲之一。

整體而言，《極限競速：地平線 6》將日本自然景觀、城市街道、獨特汽車文化與開放世界探索完美結合，不僅強化賽車操作與視覺體驗，也提供沉浸式的世界細節，能在嘉年華的氛圍中締造屬於自己的速度傳奇，這使得本作在賽車遊戲市場中具有極高的期待值與話題性。

Forza Horizon 6 is an open-world racing game developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, scheduled for release in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with launch availability on Xbox Game Pass. A PlayStation 5 version is expected to follow sometime after the initial release. This installment transports players to Japan, offering a blend of breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant urban environments, and the unique cultural flair of the Horizon Festival, where players can create their own legendary racing experiences.

The game continues the series’ signature festival-themed open-world style, but Japan provides a fresh and highly requested setting. Microsoft collaborated with cultural consultant Kyoko Yamashita to ensure authenticity, paying attention to small but significant details such as the ambient sounds of neighborhoods, the colors of storefront signs, and the lived-in atmosphere of urban and rural areas. The goal is to avoid cultural stereotypes and provide players with a world that feels genuinely immersive. Players will navigate Tokyo’s neon-lit streets and towering buildings, as well as the serene countryside and mountainous regions. Iconic landmarks like Mount Fuji and the fleeting beauty of cherry blossom season will be featured, with seasonal changes affecting both the landscape and gameplay, adding depth and realism to the open world.

Gameplay will continue to reflect the core mechanics of the Forza Horizon series, emphasizing freedom of exploration, diverse races, and festival challenges. While no full gameplay footage has been released yet, it has been confirmed that seasonal cycles will influence both the environment and player interactions. The game will also celebrate Japan’s rich car culture, including drift racing, vehicle customization, kei cars, and unique performance vehicles, creating a multi-layered driving experience. Players can explore urban streets, rural roads, and mountainous terrain, enjoying the dynamic interplay of natural and man-made environments as they participate in races, events, and exploration challenges.

Market response to Forza Horizon 6 has been highly anticipatory. The choice of Japan as a setting, combined with the launch on Game Pass, has generated significant excitement among fans. The series’ past entries, which took players to France, Italy, Mexico, Australia, and the UK, have set high expectations for open-world design and environmental detail, and the Japanese setting promises to surpass those standards with its cultural richness and natural beauty. Media and player communities have praised the emphasis on authenticity, the impact of seasonal changes, and the diversity of vehicles and activities, suggesting that this title could become one of the most anticipated racing games on next-generation consoles.

Overall, Forza Horizon 6 merges Japan’s natural landscapes, bustling cities, and distinct automotive culture into a vast, immersive open world. It enhances both racing mechanics and visual fidelity while providing a deeply engaging festival experience, giving players the opportunity to craft their own speed legends and ensuring the game will be a standout in the racing genre when it launches.