Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
