Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
