2 hours ago
Alex is a seasoned gamer and journalist who has covered London's gaming scene for over a decade.
At every turn, fans are quick to share their lists of the top titles of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? It's time to take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Are all of these games as bad as the ratings suggest? We shall see.
10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2
Metascore: 54/100, Audience Score: 3.4/10
The early response to this pack-in experience were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many voicing frustration it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that highlighted the delightful software itself. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a strong seller during its launch month.
9. Rennsport
Aggregate Score: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10
Marketed as "more than a racing game," this simulation from Competition Company and Teyon received largely negative reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, especially in a year filled with stellar racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was better off left in the garage.
8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection
Aggregate Score: 53/100, Audience Score: 8.6/10
To begin with: the awkward title grammar is a notable strike against it. This anthology of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a "attitude"-filled feline known for incessant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The notably positive user score stands as a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.
7. Nen x Impact
Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5
This manga-based fighting game encountered significant backlash from both reviewers and players. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of features. Fan reaction was particularly negative, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure would be a warning for similar releases.
6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos
Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3
Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with gathering Dogoos. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like experience ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a meaningful series entry. Its brief runtime combined with a full retail cost raised eyebrows.
5. Captain Blood
Aggregate Score: 50, Audience Score: 5.3
This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after nearly two decades in legal limbo. The team behind it consciously chose to release the game as an period-accurate artifact of its time, fully aware that today's audiences might criticize its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the fascinating story of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.
4. Scar-Lead
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 2.4
This anime-styled action game modeled after games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues centered on bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and undermined the game's overall experience.
3. Ambulance Life
Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9
Imagine the strategic surgery games of the past, then remove the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the narrative's handling of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.
2. Tamagotchi Plaza
Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8
This departure from the classic digital companion formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that rapidly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, citing a dearth of satisfying gameplay.
1. MindsEye
Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5
Intended to be a blockbuster open-world action game from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews heavily criticized its weak action, dull missions, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to much older games in the action genre. Despite the sea of negativity, a few of fans found fun in the experience, offering a lonely vote of confidence.