The Most Disappointing Video Games of This Year, According to Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best titles of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a silly strike against it. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.