Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.
