Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 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 bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced significant backlash from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.
