Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each 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 pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
