At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
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 nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers opted to release the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
