At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a rude feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop 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 raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.
