At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of fans found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
