At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? We'll take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro mascot platformers features a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
