Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted 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
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
