The Lowest-Rated Games of This Year, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

Aggregate Score: 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 voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the charming software itself. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably negative, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime 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 past, launched after a very long time in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted 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-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of fans found value in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.