Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
