Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped 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 charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to release the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
