The Lowest-Rated Games of 2025, Per Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

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. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly strike against it. This collection of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game faced significant backlash from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.