At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User 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 made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games 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 a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
