Forza Horizon 6 roars to the top of 2026’s Metacritic charts with a 92 score, dethroning Resident Evil Requiem and Pokémon Pokopia. Here’s a full breakdown of the reviews, new features, and what makes Japan the series’ best setting yet.
Forza Horizon 6 has claimed the top spot on Metacritic with a score of 92, making it the highest-rated game of 2026 so far. Developed by Playground Games and published by Xbox Game Studios, the open-world racer launched into early access on May 15 for Premium Edition owners, with the standard release set for May 19, 2026. Set entirely in Japan, the game has dethroned both Resident Evil Requiem and Pokémon Pokopia, which previously shared the lead at 89.
What Are the Review Scores?
On Metacritic, the Xbox Series X|S version holds a 92 based on 67 critic reviews, while the PC version averages 89 from 47 reviews. Over on OpenCritic, the game sits at 91 across 99 reviews and ranks in the 100th percentile. This makes Forza Horizon 6 the first game of 2026 to break the 90-point barrier on either aggregator.
The series has been remarkably consistent at this level. Forza Horizon 5 and Forza Horizon 4 both scored 92 on Metacritic, while Forza Horizon 3 landed at 91. The sixth entry continues that streak without missing a beat.
Here’s a selection of notable review scores:
- IGN: 10/10
- Eurogamer: 5/5
- TheGamer: 5/5
- VGC: 5/5
- Windows Central: 5/5
- Generación Xbox: 100/100
- DualShockers: 9.5/10
- Hobby Consolas: 93/100
- GameRant: 9/10
- PCGamesN: 9/10
- PC Gamer: 84/100
- GameSpot: 8/10
Why Is the Japan Map Getting So Much Praise?
The Japan setting is the most ambitious map Playground Games has ever built. According to the studio, Tokyo alone is five times larger than the biggest urban area in Forza Horizon 5. The full map contains over 670 drivable roads spread across 74 districts and seven distinct regions, spanning from the neon-lit streets of Shibuya to snow-capped mountain passes in the Japanese Alps.
Confirmed locations include Shibuya Crossing, Ginkgo Avenue, Tokyo Tower, suburban outskirts, docklands, and a full ski resort. Art director Don Arceta told GamesRadar that the elevated road networks in Tokyo were made possible by technology originally developed for the Forza Horizon 5 Hot Wheels expansion. IGN’s Luke Reilly called it “the most wonderfully realised map” in series history, describing the game as “unequivocally the best” open-world racer and “a masterpiece.”
Windows Central’s review highlighted how the game captures Japan’s spirit across every building, fence post, and skyscraper, calling it “hands-down one of the best-looking racers I’ve ever played” on Xbox Series X or PC with real-time ray tracing.
Over 550 Cars and a Revamped Progression System
Forza Horizon 6 launches with more than 550 licensed vehicles, roughly 100 more than Forza Horizon 5 had at release. Windows Central’s review puts the count at over 600. Vehicle classes range from D through a new R tier, and crucially, the progression system now locks higher-end cars behind later campaign stages instead of giving players access to everything from the start.
This change has been one of the most praised additions. Rather than picking a McLaren from the opening hours, players work their way up through Wristband levels (from Rookie to Legend), unlocking new Horizon Invitational events and vehicle tiers as they progress. Reviewers noted that this gives each win a more earned, meaningful feel.
Customisation has expanded too. New body kits and Forza aero components are available, and for the first time, livery creators can paint on car windows. The tuning system remains deep, with Auto Upgrade as an option for newcomers, though custom tuning yields far better results for those willing to learn it.
The Estate System and CoLab Mode
One of the biggest new features is the Estate system. Players can now decorate purchased homes, arrange garage displays to show off favourite vehicles, and invite other players to visit their spaces. Windows Central called it an “unexpected standout” that adds substantial replay value.
CoLab takes the event builder from Forza Horizon 5 and makes it multiplayer. Up to 12 players can co-create custom Lab Events in real time, building stunt tracks, drift zones, or entirely original race courses together. Early community creations already include neon playgrounds with giant ramps, bowling pins, and oversized objects. The building tools take some time to master, but the potential for creative expression is enormous.
What’s New in Events and Activities?
All returning event types are present: Speed Traps, Danger Signs, Speed Zones, Drift Zones, and Trailblazers, each with a three-star scoring system. Road Racing, Dirt Racing, and Cross Country Racing return as the core race categories. Street races are now a completely separate underground category, distinct from the main Horizon Festival events, capturing Tokyo’s real street racing culture.
Beyond racing, there are 200 XP Boards and 200 region-themed Mascots to collect across the map. Story chapters let players explore Japan’s culture through narrative-driven missions. A food delivery side activity gives players a break from competition with its own promotion ranks and unlockable delivery vehicles. Treasure Cars provide a scavenger-hunt mechanic where clues lead to rare hidden vehicles.
Drag racing has been upgraded to a proper multiplayer format with scoreboards and disqualification rules, replacing the informal honour system of previous games. Players can also rewind during skill events now, a quality-of-life change that divides opinion among competitive players.
Which Platforms Is It Available On?
Forza Horizon 6 is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC (via the Xbox App and Steam). It launched day one on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, meaning subscribers can play at no extra cost. The standard retail price is $69.99 on Steam, with a Deluxe Edition at $99.99 that includes early access starting May 14.
A PS5 version has been confirmed for later in 2026, marking the first time a Forza Horizon game will appear on PlayStation. No exact release date has been announced for that version yet. On Xbox Series X with Performance mode, the game runs at a smooth frame rate with no noticeable dips. On PC with an RTX 5080 at 4K resolution using Extreme RT settings and NVIDIA DLSS set to Quality, Windows Central reported around 90 FPS.
What Critics Love (and What Falls Short)
The overwhelming consensus is that Forza Horizon 6 is the series at its most confident. IGN called it “the new standard in open-world racing.” Windows Central described it as “the most confident, most refined, and most fun” entry in the franchise. Driving feel, visual quality, the Japan atmosphere, and the depth of activities are universally praised.
On the criticism side, the Festival Playlist and Eliminator battle royale mode are absent at launch and expected to arrive in future updates. Some reviewers found that a few main Horizon Events lacked a strong “wow” factor and felt repetitive. The building tools in the Estate and CoLab systems can be unintuitive, particularly for garage decoration where wall-snapping features seem limited or absent.
Has Forza Horizon Become Xbox’s Flagship Franchise?
Kotaku’s coverage made the case directly: Forza Horizon, not Halo, Gears, or Fable, has become Microsoft’s most consistently popular and critically acclaimed series over the last decade. What started as a quirky spin-off of Forza Motorsport has turned into one of the industry’s most successful franchises by focusing on making each entry bigger, more accessible, and more fun without ever compromising the core driving simulation.
With four consecutive 90+ Metacritic scores, Playground Games has built a track record that few studios in any genre can match. Whether Forza Horizon 6 holds onto the top spot for all of 2026 remains to be seen, but for now, it’s the game to beat.
Things Players Usually Want to Know
Is Forza Horizon 6 on Game Pass?
Yes. Forza Horizon 6 is available on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass from day one. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play at no additional cost.
Is Forza Horizon 6 coming to PS5?
Confirmed for later in 2026, but Microsoft has not announced a specific date. This will be the first Forza Horizon title on a PlayStation platform.
How many cars does Forza Horizon 6 have?
The game launches with more than 550 licensed vehicles, with some outlets reporting over 600. That’s roughly 100 more than Forza Horizon 5 had at launch, and the number is expected to grow through post-launch updates and DLC.
Can you play Forza Horizon 6 offline?
The single-player experience is accessible offline. Multiplayer features, the CoLab builder, and community-driven content require an internet connection.
How big is the Forza Horizon 6 map?
Playground Games has confirmed it is the largest and most dense map in franchise history. Tokyo City alone is five times larger than the biggest urban area in any previous Forza Horizon game. The full map includes over 670 roads, 74 districts, and seven regions spanning urban, suburban, coastal, mountainous, and rural environments.
