The Lowest-Rated Video Games of 2025, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that praised the charming software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score remains a curious oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small character selection and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 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 vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.