The Lowest-Rated Games of This Year, Based on Metacritic

Everywhere you look, fans are quick to share their selections of the top titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, Audience 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 similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a silly annoyance. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Critics observed that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, 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, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.