Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude 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 few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
