The Most Disappointing Video Games of This Year, Per Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous appraisals that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter faced harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Player sentiment was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its journey was more compelling than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a unengaging plot. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a lonely counterpoint.