Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after a very long time in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
