The Most Disappointing Games of 2025, Based on Aggregate Scores

At every turn, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

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 feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing punctuation is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game faced harsh criticism from both professionals and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a dearth of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to channel a unique experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.