The Most Disappointing Video Games of the Year 2025, Per Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. 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

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.