The Lowest-Rated Video Games of 2025, According to Review Aggregator Metacritic

At every turn, fans are quick to share their rankings of the greatest titles of 2025. However, what of the flops, the underperformers? Let's take a moment to honor the lowest-rated games of the year, based on the aggregate scores from Metacritic. Could each of these games as bad as their scores suggest? We shall see.

10. Welcome Tour for Switch 2

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

First impressions to this tech demo were shaped by its $9.99 price tag, with many expressing disappointment it wasn't a free pack-in like similar console launches. Critical opinion spanned a wide spectrum, from scathing critiques to somewhat forgiving reviews that noted the charming software itself. Despite the grumbling, the title proved to be a notable digital seller during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

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

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon garnered largely negative reviews. Reviews pointed out that the game felt unfinished in almost every category, notably in a year filled with high-quality racing experiences. In the eyes of critics, this sputtering stinker was better off left in the garage.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

First things first: the irritating colon usage is a minor annoyance. This anthology of 1990s-era mascot platformers revives a "attitude"-filled feline known for constant jokes. Critics observed that these games were not good originally and haven't gotten better with age. The improbably high user score is a baffling contrast to the critical reception.

7. Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This anime-inspired brawler encountered widespread disappointment from both critics and the dedicated community. Issues included a thin fighter lineup and a minimal offering of gameplay modes. User reviews was notably harsh, with some expressing a wish that the title's failure would be a warning for future projects.

6. Neptunia Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, User Score: 5.3

Hailing from the anime-style Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting slime-like creatures. Critics argued that its attempt to channel a rolling-collection feel was unsuccessful, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a meaningful addition to the franchise. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag raised eyebrows.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, User Score: 5.3

This title is a curious artifact from the mid-2000s, finally released after nearly two decades in production delays. The publishers consciously chose to preserve the game as an period-accurate product of its time, accepting that modern gamers might not appreciate its retro feel. As such, many reviews concluded that the tale of its resurrection was more compelling than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game drawing from games like *Returnal* failed to impress with critics. Common complaints included repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a forgettable story. A much-criticized system involving the outfit degradation was widely panned and undermined the game's enjoyment.

3. Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, User Score: 4.9

Imagine the tense surgery games of the past, then strip away the satisfying gameplay. That, according to reviews, is roughly *Ambulance Life*. Reviewers found the emergency response sections to be a slog, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being insensitive. The overall experience was deemed a missed opportunity.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Metascore: 43, User Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula transforms the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, per critics, was a vapid collection of basic activities that very soon became boring. Some reviews went so far as to declare it one of the worst titles available on its platform, noting a profound lack of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, User Score: 2.5

Positioned as a major open-world action game from a team featuring well-known figures, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic critical flop. Reviews savaged its poor shooting mechanics, boring plot, and a host of horrendous bugs. Several found it to be a significant step back compared to previous-generation games in the action genre. Among the overwhelming criticism, a few of positive user reviews found something to enjoy in the experience, serving as a lonely contrast.