At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
