Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a notable point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
