Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a silly strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.
