At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
