The Lowest-Rated Video Games of the Year 2025, Based on Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are quick to share their rankings of the best games of 2025. But what about the flops, the failures? Let's take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the confusing punctuation is a notable strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a unique feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *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 tone-deaf. 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 turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a lonely contrast.