At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. 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 tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
