Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in production delays. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
