The Lowest-Rated Titles of This Year, According to Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are quick to share their lists of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? Let's take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in key areas, particularly in a year packed with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a silly annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler faced significant backlash from both critics and players. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a dearth of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some expressing a wish that the title's poor performance would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its attempt to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in production delays. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on uninspired foes, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's 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 downgrade compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the overwhelming criticism, a small handful of fans found fun in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.