At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
