The Most Disappointing Video Games of the Year 2025, Per Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

The early response to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, 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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was best left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the confusing colon usage is a minor annoyance. This collection of retro mascot platformers showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a peculiar anomaly to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game was met with significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

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 years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and took away 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 memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a studio led by well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct vote of confidence.