At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions 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 similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the delightful software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
