The Most Disappointing Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Metascore: 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 similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10

Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious contrast to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *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 not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid 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, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.