Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the most panned 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? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop 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 digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
