At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong 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 received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year featuring excellent racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a notable point of contention. This collection of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers opted to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment 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 shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.
