Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User 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 bundled game like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that praised the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
