Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. 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, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
