Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each 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
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.
