Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration 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 mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The developers opted to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
