At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the greatest games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3
A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. 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 resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.
