The Lowest-Rated Games of 2025, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a silly annoyance. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a minimal offering of features. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after years and years in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.