Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year filled with stellar racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited character selection and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes 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 digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.
