At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab 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 piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
