The Lowest-Rated Video Games of the Year 2025, Per Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's 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 as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.

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. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the confusing title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to channel a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics 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 shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.