The Lowest-Rated Video Games of This Year, Based on Metacritic

Everywhere you look, gamers are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler encountered harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was especially harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's flop would be a warning for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be a slog, 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, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.