Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a silly strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
