At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. 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 transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Arriving as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct contrast.
