At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine 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 tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
