At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic 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
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
