Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out 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 its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
