The Lowest-Rated Video Games of 2025, According to Metacritic

At every turn, enthusiasts are eagerly sharing their lists of the top titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that highlighted the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from European developers was met with overwhelmingly poor reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year filled with excellent racing titles. Ultimately, this sputtering stinker was best left in the garage.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the confusing punctuation is a minor point of contention. This collection of retro mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant jokes. The consensus was that these games haven't aged well originally and have not improved with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar anomaly to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighter was met with harsh criticism from both critics and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a small fighter lineup and a severe lack of content. Player sentiment was notably vitriolic, with some voicing a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for the developers.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration 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 curious artifact from the Xbox era, seeing the light of day after years and years in legal limbo. The developers opted to keep the game as an period-accurate experience of its time, accepting that today's audiences might not appreciate its dated design. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter drawing from games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the strategic medical sims of the past, then remove the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of its subject matter was criticized as being tone-deaf. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid series of basic activities that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews savaged its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found fun in the experience, providing a rare contrast.