Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, 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 vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a silly strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
