The Most Disappointing Video Games of This Year, Based on Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the best releases of 2025. But what about the stinkers, the low achievers? It's time to take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment was quite mixed, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that praised the delightful software itself. Despite 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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from European developers was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing titles. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left unplayed.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 mascot platformers revives a rude feline known for constant quips. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and feel dated with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler faced harsh criticism from both professionals and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a wish that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, User Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this motorcycle action game tasks players with gathering Dogoos. The assessment was that its effort to mimic a rolling-collection gameplay loop didn't land, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a full retail cost seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in development hell. The team behind it opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the interesting history of its resurrection was more compelling than the actual gameplay.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on repetitive adversaries, repetitive levels, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and took away from the game's enjoyment.

3. Ambulance Life

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Recall the tense medical sims of the past, then remove the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *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 poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Critics found it to be a significant step back compared to decades-old games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of optimistic players found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct counterpoint.