Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull assortment of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
