One of the most cherished memories from the Forza Horizon and Motorsport franchises is the exhilarating sense of progression that comes with upgrading from a humble starter vehicle to a high-performance supercar. This rewarding journey has been somewhat lacking in recent iterations of both the open-world and track racing genres within Forza. However, excitement is brewing as Playground Games has announced the return of wristband progression in the upcoming Forza Horizon 6.
Wristband Progression in Forza Horizon 6
During the Developer Direct event earlier this year, Torben Ellert, the design director for FH6, shared insights into the game’s structure. “You’ll start out as just a tourist in Japan,” he explained, emphasizing the need to earn a spot in the Festival. As players engage in races and complete challenges, they will ascend through the ranks, unlocking wristbands that correspond to their growing prowess behind the wheel. Each wristband signifies a higher tier of vehicle performance, beginning with C-rank cars and progressing to B and A-rank vehicles as players advance through the Festival events.
While the initial stages may feel a bit rushed—especially for those hoping for a more gradual introduction to the racing experience—there’s a palpable thrill in the prospect of racing through Japan, which is already shaping up to be a favorite locale among fans.
All of this is to say that I don’t have any connection or fond memories of my starter car. In fact, I don’t even remember which one I picked because I’ve not actually used it past the first race, and you’re given all three anyway.
As players earn higher-tier wristbands, they will find themselves racing increasingly powerful vehicles. However, the open-world nature of Forza Horizon allows for a more flexible experience. While the main events impose restrictions based on wristband levels, players are free to explore the expansive world and participate in Discover Japan events with any car they desire.
Yet, a notable concern arises regarding the ease of progression. Many players may find their garages overflowing with cars almost immediately, particularly those who opt for the Premium edition, which includes a variety of bonus vehicles. This rapid accumulation of cars can diminish the sense of achievement that comes with earning them through gameplay.
Moreover, the introduction of Wheelspins—random rewards that can yield high-value cars and substantial cash—complicates the progression system further. Despite efforts to make Wheelspins less frequent in Forza Horizon 6, their presence still allows players to acquire desirable vehicles without the need for strategic purchasing or tuning.
New Progression Paths
Forza Horizon 6 introduces two distinct progression paths: the Horizon Festival, which focuses on wristband races, and Discover Japan, encompassing a variety of activities. While these paths offer a structured way to engage with the game, players will frequently receive rewards, including cars and cash, for completing tasks ranging from races to story missions and even food delivery challenges.
Just a few hours into your holiday in Japan, you’ve got multiple houses with garages stocked with cars. The progression mandated by the Festival races begins and ends there.
While the thrill of driving fast cars is undeniably a core aspect of the Forza Horizon experience, the satisfaction derived from a gradual build-up is often overlooked. The delicate balance between unrestricted exploration and a structured progression system raises questions about the overall design philosophy. Forza Horizon 6’s approach may not fully replace a traditional career mode, but it does offer a compromise that allows players to enjoy the freedom of choice while still experiencing a sense of advancement.
In the end, the allure of immediate access to a wide array of vehicles may outweigh the desire for a more forced progression system. Players might find joy in transforming an unassuming kei truck into a formidable S2 rank powerhouse, or tuning it for spectacular stunts. Perhaps Playground Games has struck the right balance by encouraging linear progression in main events while allowing players the freedom to engage with side content at their own pace.
