Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User 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 competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful 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
Presented as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker 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 irritating title grammar is a notable strike against it. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin character selection and a severe lack of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.
