The Most Disappointing Games of the Year 2025, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? We'll take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this showcase title were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the debate, 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 "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games revives a rude feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter was met with significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some expressing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.