The Worst Video Games of the Year 2025, According to Metacritic

At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. But what about the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a moment to examine the absolute worst games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Despite the debate, the title proved to be a strong commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era mascot platformers features a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were mediocre to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler was met with significant backlash from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. User reviews was notably harsh, with some voicing a hope that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its brief runtime combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in development hell. The team behind it consciously chose to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, acknowledging that modern gamers might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were uninspired foes, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was seen as adding nothing and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of repetitive tasks that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.