Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a notable strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique feel didn't land, 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 seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic 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 tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
