The Most Disappointing Games of the Year 2025, Per Metacritic

At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the confusing title grammar is a notable strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 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 unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.