The Most Disappointing Games of 2025, Based on Aggregate Scores

At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the underperformers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving appraisals that praised 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

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the confusing punctuation is a silly annoyance. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to channel a unique gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its development was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.