At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
