The Lowest-Rated Video Games of 2025, Based on Metacritic

Across the internet, fans are eagerly sharing their lists of the best releases of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a few moments to examine the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

The early response to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving takes that noted the polished software itself. In spite of the controversy, the title proved to be a notable seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year packed with stellar racing titles. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a notable annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score remains a baffling oddity to the critical reception.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. User reviews was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's poor performance would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. The assessment was that its effort to channel a unique gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, finally released after a very long time in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the actual gameplay.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms included repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the ambulance-driving sequences to be tedious and repetitive, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid series of repetitive tasks that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a host of technical problems. Many found it to be a downgrade compared to decades-old games in the similar style. Among the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of optimistic players found value in the experience, providing a rare contrast.