Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
