Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores 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 shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a severe lack of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The developers opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
