Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment 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 complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
