Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored 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 "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's 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 compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and players. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
