The Lowest-Rated Video Games of This Year, According to Aggregate Scores

At every turn, enthusiasts are quick to share their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Is every one of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Let's find out.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Professional assessment varied dramatically, from "crushing disappointment" to more generous reviews that noted the delightful software itself. 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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received overwhelmingly poor reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game fell short in nearly every way, particularly in a year filled with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this disappointing sim was advised to be left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the confusing colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era platforming games features a sarcastic feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The notably positive user score remains a peculiar anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This manga-based fighter encountered significant backlash from both professionals and fans. It was lambasted for a thin roster of characters and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some stating a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to channel a rolling-collection experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a cash grab than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience 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 original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its development was more compelling than the end product.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and detracted from the game's potential charm.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the strategic medical sims of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Critics found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. 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 shopping simulation title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that very soon grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, pointing to a dearth of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Positioned as a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a downgrade compared to previous-generation games in the similar style. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare contrast.