The Most Disappointing Games of the Year 2025, According to Aggregate Scores

At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, User 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 some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the awkward colon usage is a silly strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious oddity to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Critics argued that its goal to mimic a unique experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics 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 digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.