The Lowest-Rated Games of This Year, Per Metacritic

Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10

Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead 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 bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.