At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software itself. Regardless 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
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
