At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the charming software itself. In spite 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
Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, 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
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the end product.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, 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 shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely vote of confidence.
