Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
