Forza Horizon 6 review roundup: Metacritic’s highest-rated game of 2026 (so far)

Forza Horizon 6 has launched to critical acclaim, scoring 92 on Metacritic and 91 on OpenCritic—making it the highest-rated game of 2026 so far. The open-world racing title from Playground Games delivers what critics are calling the series’ most complete experience to date, with the Japanese setting providing a stunning new backdrop for arcade racing action.

The game maintains the proven formula that has made the franchise successful, offering over 60 critical reviews that reflect “universal acclaim.” This consistency mirrors the scores of recent entries: Forza Horizon 3 achieved 91, while both Forza Horizon 4 and 5 reached 92, indicating that critics remain satisfied with the established gameplay loop and haven’t observed franchise fatigue.

Critical praise centers on the Japanese map, which reviewers describe as a joy to explore with stunning visuals throughout. IGN awarded the game a perfect 10/10, commending it as easily the series’ most complete experience, though some critics noted they would have appreciated more new race types and events, particularly in the Tokyo region. The technical performance is also noteworthy, with the game running smoothly without compromising visual quality.

Forza Horizon 6 launched May 19, 2026, on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with early access available May 15. A PlayStation 5 port has been confirmed for later in 2026, continuing the platform’s pattern of receiving major Xbox-published titles. This positioning keeps the Forza Horizon franchise as the premier arcade racing series on Sony’s platform, contrasting with Gran Turismo 7’s more hardcore simulation approach.

Forza Horizon 6 review roundup: Metacritic’s highest-rated game of 2026 (so far)

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