Forza Horizon 6 tops Metacritic's best games of 2026 so far
Forza Horizon 6 has claimed the top spot on Metacritic's official mid-year rankings with a score of 90, making it the best-reviewed game of H1 2026. Its opening reviews actually peaked at 92 across 62 critics, with 14 perfect tens from outlets including IGN and Eurogamer. For anyone wondering what to play this summer, this is the clearest signal the year has offered so far.
The method
Metacritic's mid-year list only counts games with at least seven professional reviews — no ports, no remasters, no DLC, no mobile titles. Multi-platform releases are ranked by the version with the most reviews, which is usually the PS5 edition; exceptions are noted in brackets. Scores reflect each game's current average, so early buzz can settle slightly over time.
Why Forza 6 won
Set in Japan, Forza Horizon 6 drew consistent praise for its technical execution, the authenticity of its Japanese automotive culture, and a car roster of more than 550 vehicles, all customizable. Racing games rarely dominate year-end award conversations, but Forbes notes it's the first game of 2026 to crack 90 — a milestone the previous four Horizon entries all hit as well, which is rare consistency for any genre. The game launched day one on Game Pass; a PlayStation 5 version is expected later in 2026, so the current momentum sits squarely with Xbox and PC players.
The full top 20
Two lesser-known titles, Schrödinger's Call and Mina the Hollower, also tied at 90 but with fewer reviews. The rest of the top 10 mixes mainstream and indie: Pokémon Pokopia on Switch 2 (89), Resident Evil Requiem (89), Mewgenics (88), spy action game 007 First Light (87), roguelike shooter Saros (87), Hermit and Pig (87), and Titanium Court (87).
Further down the list sit Nioh 3, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and sci-fi action adventure Pragmata at 85. The full top 20 spans racing, horror, roguelikes, puzzle adventure, and fighting — a wider genre spread than most mid-year snapshots produce.
GTA VI is still on the horizon for late 2026. Whether Forza holds the top spot through year-end depends entirely on what the autumn slate delivers.
