The Most Disappointing Games of 2025, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10

The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that noted the delightful software itself. In spite 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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to release the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was far richer than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience 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 series of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.