Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Aggregate Score: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
Initial reactions to this pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Metascore: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Presented as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in almost every category, notably in a year packed with stellar racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the irritating title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of retro platforming games revives a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score is a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game
Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after a very long time in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-art roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics 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 not very compelling.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8
This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of engaging content.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5
Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found value in the experience, providing a rare contrast.
