Forza Horizon 6’s GOTY chances are higher than any racing game ever has
Forza Horizon 6 has achieved unprecedented critical acclaim, sitting at the top of both Metacritic and OpenCritic’s leaderboards as the best-reviewed game of 2026 so far. It is the first 2026 release to achieve a 90+ rating on both major review aggregation sites, and the score appears to hold steady. As an ultra-polished AAA title that has resonated with both critics and players, Forza Horizon 6 appears poised for Game of the Year consideration, having further expanded the Forza Horizon series’ audience.
However, the article notes a cautionary precedent: Forza Horizon 5 achieved a similar critical position in 2021, dominating reviews and popularity in a relatively quiet year. Despite this success and apparent Game of the Year credentials, the title did not win The Game Awards’ top prize, as the awards jury sometimes diverges from critical consensus. While Forza Horizon 6’s critical performance and popularity give it higher Game of the Year chances than any racing game has previously enjoyed, the outcome at major award ceremonies remains uncertain.