Hades 2 currently leads the list of highest rated Xbox games of 2026, holding an impressive Metacritic score of 95. With just over two months remaining in the year, several major releases have secured strong critical ratings, including Resident Evil Requiem, Forza Horizon 6, and Gears of War: E-Day.
The rankings provide an early picture of the year's most critically successful Xbox games, although the list could change before December.
One of the biggest upcoming releases is Grand Theft Auto VI, which is scheduled to arrive in November 2026. Its reception could have a significant impact on the final rankings.
For now, Hades 2 holds a narrow lead over Resident Evil Requiem, which has a score of 93.
Top 10 Highest Rated Xbox Games of 2026
Metacritic calculates its scores using reviews from professional critics, providing an overall rating for each game.
To qualify for the platform's annual best games rankings, a title must have at least seven eligible critic reviews.
This requirement means some games may not appear in the Xbox rankings despite receiving positive reviews elsewhere.
According to the October 2026 standings, these are the ten highest rated Xbox games of the year.
| Rank | Game | Metacritic score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hades 2 | 95 |
| 2 | Resident Evil Requiem | 93 |
| 3 | Mixtape | 92 |
| 4 | Forza Horizon 6 | 90 |
| 5 | Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve | 88 |
| 6 | 007 First Light | 88 |
| 7 | Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade | 88 |
| 8 | Gears of War: E-Day | 87 |
| 9 | Pragmata | 86 |
| 10 | Star Wars: Galactic Racer | 86 |
The rankings include a broad variety of genres, ranging from action adventures and racing games to horror, role playing games, and narrative experiences.
Several major Xbox releases have performed particularly well, indicating a strong year for the platform.
Hades 2 and Resident Evil Requiem Lead the Rankings
Hades 2 has emerged as the highest rated Xbox release of 2026, achieving a score of 95.
The sequel builds on the gameplay foundations of the original Hades, expanding its action systems and introducing additional content.
Its position at the top makes it one of the leading candidates for year end awards based on critical reception.
Resident Evil Requiem follows closely with a score of 93.
Capcom's latest horror release has received strong reviews and remains one of the highest rated major games of the year.
Mixtape occupies third place with 92, making it another notable entry in the rankings.
The game has attracted attention for its narrative focused approach, although reactions among players have been more divided.
Forza Horizon 6 follows with a score of 90, demonstrating continued critical support for Microsoft's racing franchise.
The remaining positions include major releases such as Ace Combat 8, 007 First Light, Gears of War: E-Day, and Star Wars: Galactic Racer.
Several Xbox Games Just Missed the Top 10
The rankings are particularly competitive near the bottom of the list.
Three additional games have achieved an overall score of 86, matching Pragmata and Star Wars: Galactic Racer.
However, Metacritic currently places them outside the top ten.
These titles are Vampire Crawlers, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection.
Their placement demonstrates how small differences in ranking calculations can affect the final order.
Additional critic reviews could also change the standings before the end of 2026.
The current list should therefore be treated as a snapshot rather than a final ranking of the year's best games.
All Platform Scores Produce a Different Xbox Top 10
An important limitation of the Xbox specific rankings is that multiplatform games often receive more professional reviews on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
As a result, some critically acclaimed games may not accumulate enough eligible Xbox reviews to appear in the platform's annual rankings.
When scores from other platforms are considered for games also available on Xbox, the overall list changes considerably.
Here is how the top ten looks using the broader platform ratings presented in the comparison.
| Rank | Game | Metacritic score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hades 2 | 95 |
| 2 | Resident Evil Requiem | 93 |
| 3 | Sektori | 93 |
| 4 | Mixtape | 92 |
| 5 | The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered | 92 |
| 6 | DOOM: The Dark Ages Revelations | 91 |
| 7 | Forza Horizon 6 | 90 |
| 8 | Mina the Hollower | 90 |
| 9 | Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade | 89 |
| 10 | Valheim | 89 |
This alternative comparison includes several games absent from the Xbox specific rankings.
Sektori enters third place with a score of 93, while The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered reaches fifth with 92.
DOOM: The Dark Ages Revelations, Mina the Hollower, and Valheim also enter the list.
However, this broader comparison combines review scores from different platforms, meaning it should not be interpreted as an official Xbox specific ranking.
Differences in technical performance, content, and review coverage can influence scores between platforms.
Gears of War: E-Day and Forza Horizon 6 Perform Strongly
Microsoft's major gaming franchises have also secured respectable positions.
Forza Horizon 6 currently holds fourth place in the Xbox rankings with a score of 90.
Its performance reflects continued critical appreciation for the open world racing series.
Gears of War: E-Day, which launched on October 6, 2026, has achieved a score of 87.
The game has received positive reviews, although player opinions appear more divided.
Some players have praised its campaign and return to the franchise's established combat style.
Others have raised concerns about certain gameplay sections, multiplayer features, and technical performance.
The difference between professional reviews and community responses demonstrates that an aggregated critic score does not necessarily reflect every player's experience.
Meanwhile, 007 First Light and Ace Combat 8 have both secured scores of 88, placing them among the year's stronger releases.
GTA 6 Could Change the Rankings in November
Grand Theft Auto VI remains one of the most significant upcoming releases of 2026.
With its launch scheduled for November, Rockstar Games' next open world title could enter the rankings before the end of the year.
However, surpassing Hades 2 will require an exceptionally strong critical reception.
A score above 95 would place GTA 6 ahead of the current leader, although its final position will depend on the reviews published after release.
There is also uncertainty about how many eligible Xbox reviews will be available when the game launches.
The annual rankings could change further if other upcoming titles receive similarly high scores.
For now, Hades 2 remains the highest rated Xbox game of 2026, followed by Resident Evil Requiem and Mixtape.
The current standings show a diverse lineup of critically successful games, with established franchises and smaller projects competing closely.
As the final months of 2026 approach, the release of GTA 6 and additional critic reviews will help determine which titles finish the year at the top of the rankings.
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