Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? It's time to take a momentary detour to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.
10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response 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. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 3.2/10
Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.
8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a minor point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good in their time and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.
7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact
Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5
This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and fans. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was particularly vitriolic, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for the developers.
6. Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3
Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Critics argued that its effort to mimic a unique gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Salvation
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4
This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.
3. Paramedic Simulator
Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9
Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying assortment of repetitive tasks that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.
1. MindsEye
Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found value in the experience, providing a lonely counterpoint.
