The Worst Games of the Year 2025, According to Metacritic

Everywhere you look, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, especially in a year featuring excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the irritating colon usage is a minor point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a rude feline known for constant jokes. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler was met with harsh criticism from both critics and fans. Issues included a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, finally released after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, based on critics, was a unsatisfying series of basic activities that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.