The Lowest-Rated Video Games of 2025, According to Metacritic

At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling contrast to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly harsh, with some voicing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.