At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating title grammar is a silly strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *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 not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
