The Lowest-Rated Video Games of the Year 2025, According to Aggregate Scores

Across the internet, gamers are eagerly sharing their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? Let's take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling oddity to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game faced harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a severe lack of features. User reviews was notably vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a unique experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The publishers opted to keep the game as an original experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics 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 digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.