The Lowest-Rated Titles of This Year, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, fans are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the irritating title grammar is a notable strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with significant backlash from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a dearth of features. User reviews was notably negative, with some stating a wish that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.

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 gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the past, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.