Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one 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
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite 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
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin character selection and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. 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 resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on 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. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.
