At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime 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 mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter 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 turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
