At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, 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 simulation from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was notably negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime 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 curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics 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 makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities 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 profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
