The Most Disappointing Titles of This Year, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

Everywhere you look, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this tech demo were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in key areas, especially in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. For many, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a curious contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag 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 Xbox era, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The developers opted to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.