The Most Disappointing Video Games of the Year 2025, Based on Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

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 bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was advised to be left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler faced harsh criticism from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some stating a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.