Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the awkward title grammar is a silly annoyance. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
