The Worst Games of the Year 2025, Based on Metacritic

Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10

The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious oddity to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a small character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.