Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia 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 Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
