At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the top games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull 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 profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
