At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable annoyance. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely counterpoint.
