The Most Disappointing Games of This Year, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title 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 varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its resurrection was far richer than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a distinct counterpoint.