Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.
