The Most Disappointing Titles of This Year, Per Metacritic

At every turn, fans are foaming at the mouth to post their lists of the best releases of 2025. Yet, where are the stinkers, the underperformers? We'll take a moment to examine the most panned games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Are all of these games as disappointing as the ratings suggest? Let's find out.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

First impressions to this tech demo were colored by its $9.99 price tag, with many feeling cheesed off it wasn't a bundled game like some other console launches. Critical opinion was quite mixed, from harsh disappointment to more generous reviews that noted the delightful software itself. In spite of the debate, 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 "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from studios in Germany and Poland garnered pretty unanimous reviews. Critics noted that the game fell short in nearly every way, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing titles. In the eyes of critics, this underwhelming entry was best left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the awkward colon usage is a silly point of contention. This collection of 1990s-era platforming games features a rude feline known for non-stop jokes. Critics observed that these games were mediocre originally and have not improved with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar oddity to the Metascore.

7. Nen x Impact

Metascore: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* brawler encountered significant backlash from both critics and fans. It was lambasted for a thin fighter lineup and a dearth of content. Fan reaction was particularly harsh, with some voicing a desire that the title's failure 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 cute monsters. Reviewers felt that its goal to mimic a unique feel didn't land, coming across as more of a cash grab than a worthy Neptunia game. Its short length combined with a premium price was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the past, launched after a very long time in legal limbo. The developers made the decision to keep the game as an authentic artifact of its time, acknowledging that today's audiences might criticize its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was far richer than the end product.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled roguelike shooter inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. Frequent criticisms centered on uninspired foes, monotonous stage design, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and detracted from the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Metascore: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the strategic 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 a slog, and the treatment of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula makes the franchise into a town-management title. The result, according to critics, was a dull collection of basic activities that very soon overstayed its welcome. Some reviews went so far as to call it one of the most disappointing titles available on its platform, citing a complete absence of engaging content.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a blockbuster GTA-style title from a ex-Rockstar veteran's industry veterans, *MindsEye* was a notable critical flop. Reviews heavily criticized its lousy combat, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Amidst the scathing reviews, a tiny number of fans found something to enjoy in the experience, providing a distinct vote of confidence.