The Most Disappointing Titles of This Year, According to Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top titles of 2025. But what about the disasters, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to recognize the absolute worst games of the year, according to the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? Here is the list.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were heavily influenced by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to somewhat forgiving reviews that highlighted the charming software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the grumbling, the title proved to be a strong digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "more than a racing game," this simulation from European developers garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in almost every category, especially in a year packed with excellent racing experiences. Ultimately, this underwhelming entry was advised to be left unplayed.

8. Bubsy's Purrfect Collection

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

First things first: the awkward punctuation is a notable point of contention. This compilation of 1990s-era Bubsy titles showcases a sarcastic feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games haven't aged well to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a peculiar oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. Issues included a small fighter lineup and a minimal offering of content. User reviews was particularly vitriolic, with some expressing a hope that the title's flop would serve as a lesson for future projects.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with rounding up slime-like creatures. Reviewers felt that its attempt to mimic a rolling-collection experience didn't land, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial series entry. Its 3-hour duration combined with a premium price seemed like a bold choice.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after years and years in development hell. The publishers opted to keep the game as an original artifact of its time, accepting that today's audiences might criticize its dated design. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more interesting than the end product.

4. Scar-Lead

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* disappointed with critics. Common complaints included uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A much-criticized system involving the character's attire was widely panned and undermined the game's potential charm.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be a slog, and the narrative's handling 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 new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a shopping simulation title. The result, based on critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews savaged its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the similar style. Despite the scathing reviews, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a rare vote of confidence.