At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
