Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of fans found value in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
