Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the top games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that noted the polished software itself. 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
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers 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 largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.
