Forza Horizon 6 has firmly established itself as the most critically acclaimed title of 2026. Dominating the leaderboards on both Metacritic and OpenCritic, it has become the first release this year to comfortably clear the 90-point threshold on both platforms. As a high-budget, impeccably polished experience with massive mainstream appeal, it is undeniably a top-tier contender for Game of the Year.
We have seen this narrative before. Back in 2021, Forza Horizon 5 enjoyed a similar status, standing out as the year’s best-reviewed major launch. Yet, when The Game Awards jury—largely comprised of critics—finalized their nominations, they opted to exclude Forza Horizon 5 from the GOTY category entirely, choosing to honor titles like It Takes Two, Metroid Dread, and Psychonauts 2 instead.
As I have highlighted in my previous analysis of The Game Awards, a recurring trend has emerged: certain genres seem to be systematically ignored for the top honor, and racing games are historically placed at the bottom of the list.
While The Game Awards does feature a specific category for “Best Sports/Racing Game,” the same could be said for genres that frequently contend for the big prize, such as RPGs or action-adventures. There is an unfortunate, lingering bias suggesting that racing games lack the thematic depth or storytelling gravitas required to be considered true “art” in the eyes of the jury, regardless of their technical perfection.
However, I suspect Forza Horizon 6 has a fighting chance to break this trend. While winning the overall award is a steep climb, earning a nomination is no longer the impossibility it once seemed.
Several factors work in its favor. Many of 2026’s other potential heavy hitters have been hampered by various issues—some faced divided critical receptions, while others struggled with niche market appeal or controversies. Forza Horizon 6 remains clean, polished, and remarkably consistent. Furthermore, its massive growth on Steam ensures that it remains firmly at the center of the cultural zeitgeist well ahead of its eventual PS5 release.
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Perhaps most crucially, the Japanese setting brings an unexpected emotional dimension to the series. The developers have meticulously integrated references to iconic cultural touchstones like Initial D and Gundam, giving the world a textured, lived-in feel that goes beyond mere asphalt and high-performance engines.
While internal competition from titles like Fable exists, I sincerely hope the jury acknowledges Forza Horizon 6. The more inclusive the GOTY shortlist becomes, the better it reflects the vibrant, multifaceted nature of the medium we love.
Forza Horizon 6 claims top spot as 2026’s highest-rated game
The open-world racing giant proves that consistency remains king.
Source: Polygon
