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Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with stellar racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
