At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a minor strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *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 insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
