Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings 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 complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
