The Lowest-Rated Video Games of 2025, According to Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are quick to share their selections of the greatest games of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a few moments to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Is every one of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder takes that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. In spite of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland was met with largely negative reviews. Critics noted that the game was lacking in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a minor strike against it. This compilation of retro Bubsy titles features a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Reviewers noted that these games were not good originally and feel dated with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighting game encountered widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. The assessment was that its goal to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel didn't land, 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

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after nearly two decades in production delays. The developers opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its development was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. The main issues were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was universally disliked and took away from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames 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, citing a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a small handful of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare counterpoint.