Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, 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 "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating colon usage is a silly annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.
