At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that highlighted the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a silly strike against it. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging 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 tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
