At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a minor point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
