The Lowest-Rated Games of This Year, Per Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are quick to share their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, notably in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a notable strike against it. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a rude feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a curious contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, launched after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms were repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile open-world action game from a studio led by industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.