Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User 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 spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong 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 largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers opted to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
