Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User 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 free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features 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 notably positive user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
