Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime 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 Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
