At every turn, fans are quick to share their selections of the top games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *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 poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
