The Lowest-Rated Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? We'll take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller 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 Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10

To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was far richer than the end product.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.