At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, 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 "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was notably negative, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
