Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? We'll take a few moments to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each 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
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that noted the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable 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 studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an original product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, 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
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
