At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a silly strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
