The Lowest-Rated Titles of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and fans. Issues included a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in production delays. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.