Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
