At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited character selection and a dearth of content. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
