At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that praised the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a silly annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to channel 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
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The developers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics 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, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.