At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one 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
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to channel a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing 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 ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.
