Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring stellar racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality 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 major open-world action game from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.