The Most Disappointing Titles of This Year, Per Aggregate Scores

At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as the reviews suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a complimentary title like similar console launches. Professional assessment was quite mixed, from scathing critiques to more generous appraisals that praised the delightful software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in key areas, particularly in a year filled with high-quality racing games. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of retro mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre originally and feel dated with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter faced significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a thin character selection and a dearth of content. Player sentiment was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an original experience of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of repetitive tasks that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.