Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable 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 studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
