The Most Disappointing Video Games of the Year 2025, According to Metacritic

Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like competing console launches. Professional assessment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving appraisals that highlighted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game was lacking in nearly every way, especially in a year featuring high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the irritating title grammar is a silly point of contention. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a curious oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited character selection and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a dull assortment of simple minigames that quickly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.