At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
