The Most Disappointing Titles of This Year, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to honor the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like competing console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to slightly kinder appraisals that praised the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers received overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, particularly in a year packed with excellent racing games. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was better off left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the irritating punctuation is a notable annoyance. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered harsh criticism from both professionals and fans. Complaints centered on a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Player sentiment was especially negative, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering slime-like creatures. The assessment was that its attempt to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a $40 price tag seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the mid-2000s, launched after years and years in development hell. The developers made the decision to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, accepting that contemporary players might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its journey was far richer than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was seen as adding nothing and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews universally panned its weak action, boring plot, and a host of technical problems. Critics found it to be a regression compared to decades-old games in the same genre. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a distinct counterpoint.