Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that praised the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin character selection and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, 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, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
