Overview
- Playground’s full overhead map reveal and a wave of hands‑on previews published Wednesday detail Horizon Japan’s layout and systems ahead of the May 19 release.
- Previewers describe the setting as the series’ biggest and most varied yet, with Tokyo’s layered expressways, rice‑field lowlands, coastal routes, and snowy alpine passes; Playground says Tokyo is several times larger than FH5’s Guanajuato, though some found it more vertical than sprawling.
- Campaign structure shifts back to a wristband-style progression that gates faster car classes and requires wins in early qualifiers, a change meant to add focus after FH5’s looser approach.
- New open‑world systems include regional Mascot collectibles that award credits and discounted, pre‑modified “aftermarket” cars you can buy directly from roadside spots and parking lots.
- The preview build ran in a 30 fps Quality mode with some areas locked, and the studio says a 60 fps Performance option will be available at launch alongside roughly 550 day‑one cars and cross‑platform availability on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Steam, and Game Pass, with PS5 to follow later; Ultimate Edition Early Access starts May 15.