The Most Disappointing Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised the polished software itself. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes 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 shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon 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 profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.