The Lowest-Rated Games of This Year, According to Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are quick to share their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter faced harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter 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 departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.