The Lowest-Rated Video Games of the Year 2025, Per Metacritic

At every turn, gamers are quick to share their selections of the greatest releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the underperformers? Let's take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Is every one of these games truly as terrible as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the debate, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "more than a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year filled with high-quality racing games. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward title grammar is a minor annoyance. This compilation of retro platforming games features a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. Reviewers noted that these games haven't aged well in their time and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score is a curious contrast to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and players. Complaints centered on a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the quirky Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its effort to mimic a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful series entry. Its short length combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in development hell. The developers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, acknowledging that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, samey environments, 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 engaging medical sims of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a host of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, serving as a rare counterpoint.