The Most Disappointing Games of 2025, Based on Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year packed with stellar racing games. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable strike against it. This anthology of retro platforming games features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to channel a unique feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab 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 curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the end product.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.