At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
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 voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller 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 studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *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 tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
