At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
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 gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
