Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers have rallied around Forza Horizon 5, the latest open-world racing game from Playground Games and Xbox Game Studios, calling it a '10/10 masterpiece' shortly after its day-one debut on the service. According to a recent report, the title holds a Metacritic score of 91, making it the highest-rated Xbox Game Pass day-one game of 2026 so far, with the next closest titles scoring 86 and 83 respectively. The game also carries a 4 out of 5 star rating on the Xbox Store and has sparked an outpouring of praise across forums such as the Xbox Game Pass Reddit page.

How a 91 Metacritic Score Compares to the 2026 Lineup

The report notes that Forza Horizon 5 is the second-highest-rated game of 2026 overall on Metacritic, trailing only one unrevealed title. That 91 score places it well ahead of the next best Game Pass day-one offerings this year, which sit at 86 and 83. As reported by the original source, this puts Playground Games' title in a league of its own among subscribers who quickly took to Reddit to call it a '10/10' and 'a masterpiece.'

The Permanent Addition Promise – and the Licensing Clock

Unlike many third-party games that cycle out of Game Pass, Forza Horizon 5 is an Xbox Game Studios title, meaning it is a permanent addition to the library for Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers. The report emphasizes that while it is not currently available via the Premium tier, that access is expected to arrive later this year or next . However, the same report acknowledges that the game's vehicle and music licenses will eventually expire, raising an open question: will Microsoft and Playground Games renew those licenses or rely on future franchise entries to maintain the game's availability?

What the Reddit and Store Ratings Reveal About Player Sentiment

On the Xbox Game Pass Reddit page, a top post calling the game a '10/10 masterpiece' has drawn numerous comments echoing the sentiment, according to the source. Combined with a solid 4/5 star rating on the Xbox Store, the enthusiasm suggests that Forza Horizon 5 has resonated deeply with the Game Pass audience — arguably more than any other day-one release this year. The report does not provide breakdowns by region or user demographics, leaving it unclear whether the praise is uniform or concentrated among long-time racing fans.

The Unanswered Question: What Comes After Forza Horizon 5?

While the report highlights that newer games in the series are likely to arrive before licenses expire ,it offers no timeline for a Forza Horizon 6 announcement. Nor does it name any specific Playground Games deveolpment road map. Subscribers and investors alike are left wondering when the next instalment will be revealed and whether it will maintain the same 'day-one' promise for Game Pass. The source also does not disclose whether the reported 91 Metacritic score includes all platform versions or only the Xbox Series X|S edition.