Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their selections of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
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 development hell. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience 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 lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
