Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite 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
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development 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* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely vote of confidence.
