Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
