At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, 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 awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
