Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all 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
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. 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 makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
