Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an original product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, samey environments, 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 potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
