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

At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers received pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the confusing title grammar is a notable strike against it. This collection of retro platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly vitriolic, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its development was more compelling than the end product.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. 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 makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare contrast.