The Worst Games of the Year 2025, According to Aggregate Scores

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust 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 studios in Germany and Poland received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a curious anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration 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 mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was far richer than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.