The Worst Video Games of This Year, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor strike against it. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes 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 shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.