The Most Disappointing Video Games of This Year, Based on Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a moment to recognize 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 ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite 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 simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious oddity to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. 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 satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.