At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This collection of retro mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to preserve 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 fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, 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
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
