Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year packed with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was notably negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
