At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews 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 feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a minor strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for incessant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
