The Worst Games of This Year, Based on Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that highlighted the charming software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it opted to release the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, 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. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.