Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
