Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes 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 departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
