At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? We'll 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 disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.
