It is no secret that the Forza Horizon franchise set a high bar for open-world driving games. When Mike Brown, the creative director behind Forza Horizon 5, left Playground Games to launch Maverick Games three years ago, the industry was left wondering what his new team would produce. Now, we have our answer: Clutch, an open-world driving title that takes the polished handling of a high-end arcade racer and pairs it with a character-focused, narrative-heavy campaign.
A Cinematic Story in the French Riviera
Set against the backdrop of the south of France, including Monaco and the French Riviera, Clutch moves away from the festival-centric structure of Forza Horizon. Instead, the game follows siblings Theo and Cass Martial. The narrative follows their lives as they navigate the underground world, performing delivery runs for clients operating outside the law. While the developer is keeping specific plot points under wraps, the tone is described as having the spirit of the recent F1 blockbuster film—dramatic, fast-paced, and character-driven.
Arcade Driving With a Twist
At its core, Clutch feels familiar to those who have spent hundreds of hours in the Forza series. The handling is grounded in reality but leans into an arcade sensibility, and yes, the game includes the fan-favorite rewind mechanic. However, Maverick Games is introducing new elements to shake up the standard driving formula.
During a mission demo, players were tasked with extracting a rare Aston Martin Valhalla from a wealthy owner’s penthouse. This wasn't just a simple escape; it showcased the game’s new tool-based mechanics. Players can unlock six unique tools throughout the campaign, the most notable being a harpoon. This isn't for combat, but for traversal: you can fire the harpoon at objects in the environment—like a lamppost—to swing around corners at high speeds, providing a level of cinematic utility that feels distinct from traditional racing games.
What to Expect at Launch
The game features a roster of real-world vehicles, including models from Porsche, Aston Martin, BMW, Land Rover, and Renault. While Maverick Games has not disclosed the final car count, they have noted that it will not reach the 500+ vehicle scale of Forza Horizon.
The competitive aspect remains a priority, too. During a three-lap race demo, the rival AI proved aggressive, requiring players to race with precision to secure a win. With its unique blend of story-driven missions, a beautiful European setting, and refined driving mechanics, Clutch is shaping up to be a compelling addition to the racing genre when it releases in Spring 2027.