At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
