At every turn, gamers are quick to share their selections of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a severe lack of content. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, 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 shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
