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

At every turn, fans are eagerly sharing their rankings of the top releases of 2025. Yet, where are the disasters, the failures? Let's take a momentary detour to honor the absolute worst games of the year, as determined by the critical consensus on Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as their scores suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

Aggregate Score: 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 complimentary title like competing console launches. Reviewer sentiment varied dramatically, from harsh disappointment to somewhat forgiving appraisals that noted the delightful software underneath the controversy. Regardless of the controversy, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland was met with pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game felt unfinished in nearly every way, especially in a year packed with stellar racing games. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was advised to be left in the garage.

8. Bubsy in: The Purrfect Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This compilation of SNES and PS1 Bubsy titles revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for non-stop hacky one-liners. Critics observed that these games were mediocre to begin with and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a baffling anomaly to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This manga-based brawler faced widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Complaints centered on a small character selection and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a wish that the title's failure would have consequences for similar releases.

6. Neptunia Motorcycle Game

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this bike-riding title tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its effort to channel a rolling-collection experience was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a substantial addition to the franchise. Its short length combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a resurrected relic from the past, launched after years and years in legal limbo. The publishers opted to preserve the game as an original product of its time, fully aware that contemporary players might dislike its retro feel. As such, many reviews remarked that the tale of its journey was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Scar-Lead Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-art third-person shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Common complaints included bland enemy design, repetitive levels, and a snoozy narrative. A particular feature involving the protagonist's clothing was universally disliked and took away from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Think of the engaging medical sims of the past, then take out the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the ambulance-driving sequences to be monotonous, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User Score: 5.8

This shift away from the classic digital companion formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, based on critics, was a dull series of simple minigames that quickly grew tiresome. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, noting a dearth of depth.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Arriving as a high-profile crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a notable commercial failure. Reviews universally panned its weak action, uninspired storytelling, and a multitude of horrendous bugs. Critics found it to be a regression compared to much older games in the action genre. Among the scathing reviews, a few of optimistic players found value in the experience, offering a rare counterpoint.