At every turn, fans are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll 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 as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a silly strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
