Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite 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
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
