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

Across the internet, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the low achievers? We'll take a few moments to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous takes that noted the polished software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland received pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a minor point of contention. This compilation of retro platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant quips. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well originally and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score stands as a peculiar oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. Issues included a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of gameplay modes. User reviews was particularly harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

A part of the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy series entry. 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 legal limbo. The team behind it made the decision to preserve the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its development was more compelling than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a snoozy narrative. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then strip away the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of serious themes was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, according to critics, was a unsatisfying collection of basic activities that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a major open-world action game from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable disappointment. Reviews universally panned its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Amidst the sea of negativity, a tiny number of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.