The Worst Games of This Year, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

Everywhere you look, gamers are quick to share their lists of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to examine the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles showcases a rude feline known for non-stop quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was especially negative, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would be a warning for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a rolling-collection gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.