The Most Disappointing Games of 2025, Based on Aggregate Scores
At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the best titles of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.
10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the charming software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a notable annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5
This anime-inspired brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for the developers.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a piece of lost media from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.
3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers 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 not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of fans found value in the experience, offering a rare contrast.
