The Lowest-Rated Titles of This Year, Based on Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this showcase title 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 spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a thin character selection and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.