Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience 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 some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
