The Lowest-Rated Video Games of This Year, According to Metacritic

At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? It's time to take a few moments to examine the absolute worst games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's 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 voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year featuring stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This collection of retro Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for incessant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.