At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User 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 free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
