Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User 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 preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints 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 enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience 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 dull series of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
