Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a notable point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Issues included a small character selection and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal 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 new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
