At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that noted the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted 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 critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
