At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 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 rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
