Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. 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 resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, 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
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
