Forza Horizon 6, which entered early access last week, is already the top ranked video game launched in 2026 to date.
This is according to Metacritic, which collates critic reviews from across the Internet to generate a “Metascore” out of 100.
Forza Horizon 6 is in first place, scoring a 92 Metascore, and is followed by Pokemon Pokopia and Resident Evil: Requiem, which both scored 89.
To feature on Metacritic’s Best Games This Year list, a title must have at least seven critic reviews – filtering out games that are particularly unpopular.
Despite this, the list includes an interesting variety of games, ranging from small indie games to large AAA titles.
We unpack the top five video games of 2026, according to Metacritic, below.
5. SAROS – 87
SAROS is an action adventure game made by Housemarque – the creators behind Returnal.
According to the developers, “SAROS is an action game with the haunting story of a lost off-world colony on Carcosa under an ominous eclipse.”
You play as Arjun Devraj, an enforcer who seeks answers on Carcosa – which is also described as a shape shifting world “filled with dark secrets and hostile inhabitants.”
Critics praise the game’s atmospheric design, enjoyable gameplay, and richer story.
SAROS is available on PlayStation 5 for R1,499.
4. Mewgenics – 88
Mewgenics is developed by Edmund McMillen, who is best known as the creator of The Binding of Isaac, and frequent collaborator Tyler Glaiel.
Their latest game is a bizarre “tactical role-playing roguelike life simulation” title that revolves around breeding cats.
Yes. Breeding cats.
These cats take on various classes – including hunter, mage, tank, and fighter – and have various stats that affect their ability to do different tasks.
You then lead these cats into combat, and if you successfully compete a combat run, your surviving cats return to your house – but can never fight again.
Instead, they must breed new kittens, which inherit their parents’ traits – making them optimal for further runs.
This unique premise has helped Mewgenics sell over a million copies within its first week, and it is available on Steam for R270.
3. Resident Evil Requiem – 89
The latest entry into the popular Resident Evil series has been a huge success – so much so, that the game’s publisher Capcom had to raise its earnings forecast for the past year.
The title, which has already sold over 7 million copies, is a survival horror game featuring new playable character Grace and popular recurring character Leon.
Each character has unique gameplay, creating a diverse playing experience comprising combat, investigations, puzzles, and resource management.
The game is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.
2. Pokemon Pokopia – 89
Pokemon Pokopia is a Pokemon spin-off game developed by Game Freak and Omega Force, and published by Nintendo and The Pokemon Company.
In this game, you must rebuild a post-apocalyptic world by creating new habitats for Pokemon and assisting these Pokemon with specific tasks.
Despite its post-apocalyptic setting, this is far from a dark horror game – instead, it has the upbeat nature that Pokemon is known for, and plays like a combination of Minecraft and Animal Crossing.
As with the mainline Pokemon games, you can attempt to “catch em all,” or you can build a thriving town – using the abilities of your various pokemon to do things like smelt metals, farm the land, and much more.
All of this is done while also trying to learn where all the humans have gone.
Pokemon Pokopia is available on Nintendo Switch 2 for R1,499.
1. Forza Horizon 6 – 91
Forza Horizon has already surpassed 1.1 million players during its early access period.
To get early access, players had to buy the more expensive Premium Edition – making the early access numbers incredibly impressive.
The Forza Horizon series of racing games all centre around a large racing festival in a specific location.
In the previous edition of the game – Forza Horizon 5 – the series was held in Mexico.
This time, it is in Japan – a setting that has proved to be extremely popular with fans of the series.
In Forza Horizon 6, you must work your way through various races to qualify for – and then participate in – the Horizon Invitation.
This is all done while simultaneously exploring Japan in a variety of cool and fast cars.
Forza Horizon 6 is available on PC for R1,299 and on Xbox Series X|S for R1,299.
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