The Worst Games of the Year 2025, According to Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their selections of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were shaped 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 harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the delightful software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing games. For many, this sputtering stinker was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop quips. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score stands as a baffling contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and fans. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic experience of its time, acknowledging 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. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull series of repetitive tasks that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a tiny number of fans found fun in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.