At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a small character selection and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. 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 resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers opted to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
