Across the internet, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? We'll take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year featuring excellent racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a rude feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal 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 departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
