Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring excellent racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the confusing title grammar is a minor point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant 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 is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both critics and players. Issues included a small character selection and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal 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 virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
