Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? We'll take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a silly annoyance. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games 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 monotonous, 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
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct vote of confidence.
