The Lowest-Rated Video Games of This Year, Based on Aggregate Scores

At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous takes that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year featuring excellent racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward punctuation is a silly strike against it. This collection of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a limited character selection and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics 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 shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.