In short, I was able to play Forza Horizon 6 in VR, from free driving to races, by combining a VR mod with the Pimax Crystal Light. Being able to see the interior and gauges in 3D, then check left, right, and behind simply by moving my head, creates an incredibly strong sense of being inside the open world. However, this is not official VR support, and the current mod requires switching to the cockpit view. It is best suited to people who prioritize immersion over easy setup and are comfortable managing PC VR and mods themselves.
Verdict: I Could Play Both Free Driving and Races in Forza Horizon 6 VR
In short, using a VR mod let me play not only free driving but also races in Forza Horizon 6 in VR. The VR headset I used for this test was the Pimax Crystal Light.
Once seated in the cockpit, the gauges and interior appear in 3D. I could lean in to inspect the gauges, turn to check cars running alongside me, and look behind me. Rather than playing on a conventional screen, it feels as though you have stepped into Japanese streets and winter scenery yourself.
It worked especially well when simply driving freely to a destination. Forza Horizon 6 is not a game where you only repeat races. Driving your favorite car around the city and snowy roads is a major part of its appeal, and VR took the value of that open world up another level for me.
That said, what I confirmed was free driving and racing in the environment I tested. This does not mean it has “full support” in the sense of guaranteeing operation across every game mode, every vehicle, and all PC and VR hardware configurations.
What I Learned From Actually Driving in VR
The Interior and Gauges Really Look Like They Are There
The first thing that surprised me was being able to freely look around the cabin. Leaning toward the gauges lets you inspect their details, while the interior has depth rather than looking like a flat image. Looking to the side reveals the side of the car and rival cars, making it very clear that you are sitting in the cockpit.
I have rated the Pimax Crystal Light highly for image clarity in other racing games as well. Its high-resolution display and clear glass lenses work particularly well for driving, where you need to see not only distant scenery but also the gauges and fine interior details.
Looking Sideways Becomes Useful Race Information
In VR, you can follow cars running alongside you or cars you have overtaken with your own head movements. This is not merely a visual effect; it changes the way you read the situation around you during a race.
I have long felt that, for VR driving, not only center clarity but also the flow of scenery at the sides and peripheral vision are important. Here too, being able to naturally look toward a corner exit or the car beside me added both immersion and ease of driving.
Crashes and Running Off the Course Feel More Intense Too
Because the immersion is so high, going off course and collisions also feel more dramatic. When the car loses its composure significantly, I felt a more distinct sense of fear than I would on a conventional screen. If you are sensitive to visual stimulation, I recommend starting at low speeds to see how it feels rather than jumping straight into an intense race.
How to Run Forza Horizon 6 in VR
In my setup, I prepared the VR mod, SteamVR, and Forza Horizon 6 in the following order. The mod interface and behavior may change through updates, so these are the steps at the time of my test.
- Connect the VR headset to your PC
First, prepare your VR environment until SteamVR can launch. I used the Pimax Crystal Light for this test. - Get the Forza Horizon VR mod
I used a VR mod for Forza Horizon that displayed the creator name “Naru Luna.” I am not posting a direct link to the distribution page. Use the creator name and mod name as a starting point, and verify the source and contents yourself. - Launch the VR mod
Open the downloaded mod. While the game was not running, the mod window displayed a launcher button for starting the game. - Make sure SteamVR is ready to use
Ensure that your VR headset is detected and SteamVR is ready to run. - Launch the game from the mod
Press the launcher button shown in the mod to start Forza Horizon 6. As the connection progressed, a HUD-like display appeared in the headset. - Switch to cockpit view
This is important. In the version I tested, VR would not display unless I switched to the driver’s cockpit view. - Recenter the view
If your seating position is offset, I was able to recenter the view with Ctrl + Space on the keyboard.
For this test, I played using the default settings without changing the mod’s detailed options. I recommend first confirming that it launches in its standard state, then adjusting it for your own environment.
What to Check If VR Does Not Display Correctly
If the game does not switch to VR, check the following first.
- Whether the VR headset is recognized by the PC
- Whether SteamVR is ready to launch
- Whether you launched the VR mod first
- Whether you launched the game using the launcher button in the mod
- Whether you changed the in-game camera to cockpit view
- Whether Ctrl + Space helps if the view is simply misaligned
The camera view is especially easy to overlook. VR did not activate while using an external camera, so I had to switch to cockpit view.
Also, PC VR is not like a console game, where following the same steps always guarantees the same result in every environment. There are multiple components involved—the game, mod, SteamVR, and VR headset software—so the setup hurdle can be high for beginners.
What I Liked and What Stood Out
What I Liked
- I could play both free driving and races in VR
I confirmed VR display not only while freely driving around the city, but also in races against multiple cars. - The interior and gauges can be seen in 3D
You can lean in to check the instruments, making the car interiors more enjoyable to explore. - You can check left, right, and behind with your own head movements
Being able to track cars beside you or opponents you have passed with your eyes is unique to VR. - It suits Forza Horizon’s scenery well
There is a real sense of being inside Japan’s winter streets and snowy roads, so even traveling to a destination becomes an experience.
What Stood Out
- It is not official VR support and requires a mod
You cannot simply start the game and play. Setup includes both SteamVR and the mod. - It is limited to cockpit view
At the time of testing, switching to the driver view was required for VR display. - Walking around can take you outside the car or through walls
When I physically moved around within the VR space, I could look around as if I had stepped out of the car. On the other hand, there were also moments when I could pass through walls, so your position relative to the game world is not always maintained naturally. - Operation after updates needs to be checked separately
Because this method uses a mod, I cannot say with certainty that the same steps will work after updates to the game, SteamVR, or the mod.
How Forza Horizon’s Driving Behavior Works With VR
I have viewed the Forza Horizon series as games that prioritize the exhilarating freedom to throw cars around, rather than as hardcore vehicle simulators. It is easy to keep drifting even on a controller, and the games make it easy to enjoy a somewhat oversteer-prone character regardless of the car you choose.
In Forza Horizon 6, the car I drove in this test was also eager to step out at the rear, and I had a moment where oversteer in the final corner cost me positions. That slippery behavior can be a drawback, but it also contributes to the accessibility and spectacle that feel characteristic of Forza Horizon.
The driving fundamentals do not change in VR: slow in, fast out, and prioritize your exit. At the same time, because the scenery becomes three-dimensional and you perceive the lateral flow visually, the experience changes dramatically even with the same game-like driving behavior.
People pursuing only realistic tire behavior may find Forza Horizon’s handling a little light. But for those who want to drive their favorite cars through a beautiful open world and casually enjoy drifting and racing, I think VR is a way to extend this game’s strengths even further.
Who This VR Mod Is and Is Not For
Who It Is For
- People who prioritize the feeling of stepping into the world of Forza Horizon 6
- People who enjoy driving from cockpit view
- People who want to examine interiors and gauges in 3D
- People who enjoy free driving and scenery
- People who can install and troubleshoot SteamVR and mods themselves
- People who already have a PC VR setup such as the Pimax Crystal Light
Who It Is Not For
- People who only want to use officially supported features
- People who prioritize the convenience of a guaranteed launch without setup work
- People who primarily play using external camera views
- People who are susceptible to VR motion sickness or intense camera movement
- People who do not want to check their setup after game or mod updates
In my view, this is not something I can recommend unconditionally to everyone. Still, if you are comfortable with PC VR and want to experience the scenery and car interiors of Forza Horizon 6 with your whole body, it is well worth trying. In VR, not only the outcome of a race but the time spent driving your favorite car through winter in Japan becomes the main event.
