Forza Horizon 6 has officially raced to the top of the gaming industry’s review charts, becoming the highest rated game of 2026 on Metacritic so far.
The latest entry in Playground Games’ open world racing franchise is currently sitting at a 92 Metascore, pushing it ahead of other major releases this year including Resident Evil Requiem and Pokémon Pokopia. The achievement marks one of Xbox’s biggest critical successes in recent years and continues the long running momentum behind the Horizon series.
Much of the praise has centered around the game’s long awaited Japan setting. Players are exploring a huge open world inspired by Tokyo streets, mountain touge roads, countryside villages, expressways, and coastal regions, with critics describing it as one of the most visually impressive racing games ever made.
Reviewers have also highlighted the game’s expanded progression system, improved street racing events, dynamic weather systems, and deeper social features. The handling model and overall polish have received especially strong praise across both console and PC versions.
Another feature drawing attention online is Playground Games’ approach to cultural authenticity. Reports claim cherry blossom trees throughout the world are intentionally indestructible out of respect for Japanese culture, a detail many fans have applauded.
The launch itself appears to have been massive. Early access numbers reportedly broke franchise records, with over one million players jumping in before the full global release. Steam player counts also surpassed previous Horizon launches during Premium Edition access periods.
Despite the overwhelming praise, some critics noted that Forza Horizon 6 does not completely reinvent the franchise formula. Instead, many reviews describe it as the most refined and polished version of the Horizon experience yet, rather than a radical departure from earlier games.
Still, the response from both critics and players suggests Playground Games has delivered one of the standout releases of the year. With competition from major 2026 titles continuing to grow, Forza Horizon 6 has now set the benchmark other games will be chasing for the rest of the year.
