2 hours ago
Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, 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
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, 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 small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.