Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible 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 tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The developers made the decision to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
