At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? We'll take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
