At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of basic activities that quickly 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 engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
