Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
First impressions 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 similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious contrast to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.
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 developers opted to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.
