At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless 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 simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities 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 complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.