Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 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 heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
