Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year featuring excellent racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
