Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter 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 turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
