At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers features a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience 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 developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, 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
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
