The Worst Games of the Year 2025, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings 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 heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating colon usage is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was especially negative, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call 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

Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.