Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a notable point of contention. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The developers opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead 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 repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
