The Worst Games of the Year 2025, Per Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the delightful software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a thin character selection and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after years and years in production delays. The developers made the decision to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.