At every turn, fans are quick to share their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of 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 "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Issues included a small character selection and a dearth of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
