Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a minor strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter 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 digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
