Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a silly annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial 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 resurrected relic from the past, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes 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 turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
