Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
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 feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that noted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
