The Most Disappointing Titles of This Year, Based on Aggregate Scores

At every turn, gamers are eagerly sharing their lists of the greatest titles of 2025. But what about the flops, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, according to the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to more generous reviews that praised the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Marketed as "beyond a racing game," this vroom-vroom title from Competition Company and Teyon was met with largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing titles. For many, this disappointing sim was better off left on the shelf.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

Before we start: the awkward punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of retro platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. Reviewers noted that these games were mediocre in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score stands as a baffling oddity to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler was met with harsh criticism from both reviewers and players. Complaints centered on a thin roster of characters and a severe lack of content. Fan reaction was especially vitriolic, with some expressing a wish that the title's flop would have consequences for future projects.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with gathering cute monsters. The assessment was that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like feel ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, seeing the light of day after years and years in production delays. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an authentic artifact of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews noted that the interesting history of its journey was far richer than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints centered on repetitive adversaries, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the protagonist's clothing was seen as adding nothing and undermined the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the core gameplay loop to be a slog, and the treatment of serious themes was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed not very compelling.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid assortment of simple minigames that rapidly overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Intended to be a major GTA-style title from a team featuring industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a spectacular disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, providing a distinct contrast.