The Lowest-Rated Games of the Year 2025, Based on Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing 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

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. 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 piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers opted to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.