AFL 26

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Digitally Downloaded
    May 13, 2025
    90
    Those gripes and wishlish items are minor issues that would be nice to see Big Ant address in future titles, but I don’t want to take anything away from AFL 26. It plays incredibly well and has had a lot of effort put into it, despite being a game that only really has Australia to count on as far as marketability. What’s more, Big Ant’s still patching away. It’s going to be fascinating to see where this one ends up in a year.
  2. Press Start Australia
    May 12, 2025
    75
    AFL 26 is filled with new content that you can sink your teeth into for hours, and while there’s nothing groundbreaking about this new iteration, it’s a solid installment that vastly improves upon what Big Ant built with AFL 23. There are still some gameplay gripes to iron out, but given the additional features and modes included, there’s enough here for even the most pessimistic footy fan to find enjoyable. Maybe you might even see Essendon win a final, or is that too unrealistic...
  3. Impulsegamer
    Jun 2, 2025
    69
    AFL 26 is a commendable iteration that refines its predecessors’ foundation while introducing meaningful improvements. The enhanced marking system, deeper tactical options and more challenging goalkicking contribute to a more engaging experience, despite the persistence of some long-standing issues. While the PlayStation 5 version is fast for load times and performance, it doesn’t represent a groundbreaking leap forward for next-gen hardware. Nevertheless, AFL 26 is a significant step in the right direction for Australian Rules Football gaming and fans of the sport will undoubtedly appreciate the considerable effort put into this title.
  5. Stevivor
    May 27, 2025
    65
    AFL 26 is for the fans who love their footy enough to forgive the rough edges, push through the clunky gameplay, and accept the long-standing frustrations that have plagued AFL games for decades and likely always will, to chase their dream of lifting the Premiership Cup.