The Lowest-Rated Games of 2025, Based on Metacritic

Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10

The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10

First things first: the confusing title grammar is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.