The Worst Titles of the Year 2025, Per Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the top games of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on 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 pack-in experience were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the polished software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing titles. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward colon usage is a notable point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter faced significant backlash from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its goal to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the actual gameplay.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms were bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the character's attire 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 surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.