Forza Horizon 6 is now out for all players, so we decided to put the game through its paces on the Xbox Series X console. How it runs, what it looks like and the difference between Performance and Quality modes, we have it all here.
If you run your racing games on an older-generation computer, you will know the stress of wondering if your specs match those of the next game you are eagerly awaiting. Well, this time around for Forza Horizon 6, the moment of doom came where an older PC literally could no longer open the latest game. FH6 does have lofty minimum system requirements after all.
Time it was then for at least this particular racing game to move downstairs from the gaming office to the living room TV where the Xbox lives. Not typically the sort of game we would enjoy to play on the larger screen, stepped back from the immersion but in order to give the most anticipated racing game release of the year a go and join the record-setting number of players, it was a sacrifice worth making.
Here at OverTake, we have spent a lot of time running through our thoughts of the new title during our time on PC. But now, here is what we think of the game's graphics and performance on Xbox Series X.
Rapid Loading Times
Stepping from Forza Horizon 5 on PC to this newer game with its larger, more detailed map, overhauled physics and enhanced graphics, the first thing that stood out when opening the game was the loading speeds.
This may not apply to all, but Forza Horizon 5 on PC required a long optimisation process to blend the graphics engine with the computer's hardware, sometimes taking several minutes to finally boot into the game. The same was true for Forza Horizon 4, despite its far older provenence.
Well, the good news is that, given the game is ultimately designed from the ground up for the Xbox consoles, be it Series S or X, loading times are far quicker. Within about 20 seconds from hitting the play button, you will find yourself aboard your car, tunes blasting, exhaust singing and ready to set off on your voyage around Japan.
Forza Horizon 6 looks great on consoles and, despite its detail, still loads very quickly. Image: Playground Games
This same trend continues throughout the game experience as loading times between races, menus, cutscenes and even large-scale Rush Events appear almost seamless.
FH6 Performance vs Quality Mode
In the modern day, consoles are beginning to act like computers, offering different graphical settings in order to best optimise your experience of the game. Whether you like a solid, constant 60FPS or prefer your game to run at a lower frequency but to look absolutely stunning, you can choose between Performance and Quality modes and the same is true in Forza Horizon 6.
In Quality Mode, the game cranks all settings up to the absolute maximum including ray tracing reflections and visual fidelity. At this preset, the console targets 30 FPS, which many racing game fans will find to be a little low. That said, this is only a target and we found that the game still manages to exceed that bar, running closer to the 45-50 mark. Sure, it still looks a little rough in places, especially when it inevitably does dip down to 30 in heavily built-up areas or at the start of races, but for the most part, it runs well for those unfussed about pure frames.
Forza Horizon 6 in Quality Mode gets a lot of detail and definition but hovers between 30 and 45 FPS making for an at times jagged experience. Image: Playground Games
In Performance Mode, the game targets a stable 60 FPS and tends to hold that figure without boosting too far above it. It manages that increase in fluidity by reducing some of the graphical fidelity options, meaning less detail and less pronounced shadows. You also experience a little bit more pop-in, though that is only truly noticed when driving in wide open landscapes around the North of the map. For comparison, you can check the two cherry blossom-decorated images above and below this paragraph.
Forza Horizon 6 in Performance Mode reduces tree and building detail to hold a steady 60 FPS. Image: Playground Games
Note the difference in tree detail in Performance Mode versus the prettier Quality Mode - something you will also note in the city with buildings lacking the definition of Quality Mode. That drop in detail also translates to the cherry blossom petals on the ground, the Performance Mode getting more patchy covering and less kick-up as you drive through it. Speaking of kicking things up, Performance Mode also lacks the heavy smoke when drifting as found in the better looking setting.
Overall however, Performance Mode still shines Forza Horizon 6's Japan in a good light. The game still looks brilliant in either mode, so for most we would recommend sticking to the higher framerate option as not being able to count each individual frame truly enhances the immersion of the game.
Forza Horizon 6 Artefacting
If you decide to play FH6 in Quality Mode, you will notice the game gives you a lot more motion blur than in Performance Mode, no doubt in a bid to help smooth out the odd inconsistencies in framerate. However, that decision does come at another expense: a lot of artefacting.
As you zip through the streets of Tokyo or barrel your way down a mountain pass, there will be so much blur on either side of the screen that you will lose a lot of vision of the surrounding world. And by introducing that blurred vision, the game's systems end up also forgetting some detail. By that, we mean the game will struggle to render smooth motion blur and will introduce solid blocks where is cannot complete the image.
The amount of detail in FH6 can lead to artefacting or ghosting with higher motion blur settings. Image: Playground Games
And so with frames piling on top of each other, moving said solid blocks around the screen, it can look like objects are flying around the camera - and no, we do not mean trash cans being knocked over by the multi-million dollar mega car you just won for free in a wheelspin as a reward for reversing your car into a space.
As this is only something you will come across in live gameplay as the photo mode corrects the issue, it is difficult to show you what we mean. But think of it as the ghosting you may experience in Unreal Engine motion blur, similar to the main complaint many have with Assetto Corsa Competizione. Luckily, there is an easy fix: switching to Performance Mode that lacks the blur effect or simply turning the blur down in the settings which may result in a more jagged Quality Mode experience.
What do you make of Forza Horizon 6 on the Xbox Series X? Let us know in the comments below and join the discussion in our Forza Horizon forum!
