The Most Disappointing Video Games of the Year 2025, According to Metacritic

Everywhere you look, enthusiasts are foaming at the mouth to post their rankings of the top games of 2025. Yet, where are the flops, the failures? We'll take a momentary detour to recognize the most panned games of the year, based on review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Here is the list.

10. Switch 2's Welcome Tour

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

Initial reactions to this showcase title were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to slightly kinder appraisals that noted the charming software underneath the controversy. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a surprisingly robust commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Presented as "not just a racing game," this simulation from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in key areas, especially in a year packed with high-quality racing experiences. For many, this underwhelming entry was best left on the shelf.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the confusing title grammar is a minor annoyance. This collection of SNES and PS1 platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant quips. Reviewers noted that these games were not good to begin with and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score is a baffling oddity to the professional reviews.

7. Hunter x Hunter Fighting Game

Metascore: 53, User Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired fighting game faced widespread disappointment from both reviewers and the dedicated community. It was lambasted for a limited fighter lineup and a severe lack of features. Fan reaction was notably negative, with some voicing a hope that the title's poor performance would be a warning for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Metascore: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Based on the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting Dogoos. Reviewers felt that its goal to recreate a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a quick spin-off than a worthy Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a full retail cost was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, launched after nearly two decades in development hell. The publishers consciously chose to release the game as an authentic experience of its time, fully aware that modern gamers might not appreciate its old-school mechanics. As such, many reviews remarked that the interesting history of its development was far richer than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-art roguelike shooter modeled after games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Frequent criticisms included bland enemy design, monotonous stage design, and a forgettable story. A particular feature involving the outfit degradation was universally disliked and detracted from the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Imagine the engaging surgery games of the past, then strip away the memorable characters. That, according to reviews, is essentially *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the narrative's handling of its subject matter was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, User 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 unsatisfying series of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a profound lack of depth.

1. MindsEye

Metascore: 37, User Score: 2.5

Arriving as a blockbuster crime saga from a ex-Rockstar veteran's well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a spectacular critical flop. Reviews savaged its lousy combat, boring plot, and a plethora of game-breaking glitches. Many found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Despite the overwhelming criticism, a tiny number of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.