Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 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 expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
