The Worst Games of This Year, Based on Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10

Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the end product.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of serious themes 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 virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series 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, pointing to a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a rare contrast.