Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 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 expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal 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 shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
