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

At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous appraisals that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers features a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the past, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The team behind it opted to release the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, 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, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.