Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 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 key areas, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling 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. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.
