The Lowest-Rated Games of This Year, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10

Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10

Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter faced harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop 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

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.