At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in development hell. The publishers opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
