The Lowest-Rated Titles of This Year, Based on Metacritic

At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top games of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a complimentary title like some other console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving reviews that praised the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year featuring stellar racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward punctuation is a notable strike against it. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler was met with widespread disappointment from both professionals and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would serve as a lesson for similar releases.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Critics argued that its effort to recreate a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the Xbox era, finally released after years and years in legal limbo. The team behind it opted to keep the game as an original product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was more interesting than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues included uninspired foes, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the engaging surgery games of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *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 tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, dull missions, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Critics found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a small handful of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.