Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
