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

Across the internet, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this showcase title 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 was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that highlighted 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, Audience Score: 3.2/10

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well to begin with and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and fans. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some expressing a desire that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense medical sims of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a multitude of technical problems. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of optimistic players found fun in the experience, offering a lonely contrast.