The Most Disappointing Games of 2025, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best titles of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? We'll take a few moments to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder reviews that praised the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, notably in a year packed with stellar racing games. For many, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly annoyance. This collection of retro Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for constant quips. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a curious anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighting game faced harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a limited fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Player sentiment was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with rounding up cute monsters. Critics argued that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a worthy Neptunia game. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate product of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the emergency response sections to be monotonous, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews universally panned its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a rare contrast.