Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their selections of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that highlighted the charming 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
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.
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 compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a small roster of characters and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop 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
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
