At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
