At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
