At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor point of contention. This compilation of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
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 roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
