Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad 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 pack-in experience 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. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a notable point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to channel a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.