The Most Disappointing Games of the Year 2025, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a moment to recognize the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Aggregate Score: 54/100, User Score: 3.4/10

First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the awkward colon usage is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin character selection and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the engaging 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 narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.