The Most Disappointing Games of 2025, Per Aggregate Scores
Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighting game faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. User reviews was especially harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct contrast.
