At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of retro platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. 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 curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers opted to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, 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
Metascore: 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 vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
