The Worst Video Games of 2025, According to Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Metascore: 54/100, Audience 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 complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving takes that praised the delightful software itself. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year filled with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor annoyance. This anthology of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter was met with widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. Issues included a limited character selection and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially harsh, with some stating a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length 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 mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in development hell. The developers opted to release the game as an original experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience 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 ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.