At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of retro platforming games features 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 notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers opted to release the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
