At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite 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
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter encountered significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate 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 seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.
