Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable point of contention. This compilation of retro mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences 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 action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, 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 new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
