Across the internet, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a silly annoyance. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.
7. Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired fighter faced widespread disappointment from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial series entry. 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, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was far richer than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Ambulance Life
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5
Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
