The Worst Games of This Year, According to Aggregate Scores

Everywhere you look, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? Let's take a few moments to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous takes that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "more than a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from studios in Germany and Poland garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year featuring stellar racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games revives a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler faced significant backlash from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small roster of characters and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to recreate a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after a very long time in development hell. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints were bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the tense medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the worst titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Several found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of fans found value in the experience, serving as a rare vote of confidence.