Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to release the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
