The Most Disappointing Video Games of 2025, Based on Metacritic

Across the internet, gamers are foaming at the mouth to post their selections of the top releases of 2025. However, what of the disasters, the underperformers? It's time to take a moment to recognize the lowest-rated games of the year, as determined by review aggregator Metacritic. Could each of these games as disappointing as the reviews suggest? We shall see.

10. Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

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

The early response to this tech demo 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 spanned a wide spectrum, from "crushing disappointment" to slightly kinder takes that highlighted the charming software itself. In spite of the debate, the title proved to be a notable commercial performer during its launch month.

9. Rennsport

Metascore: 53/100, User Score: 3.2/10

Billed as "beyond a racing game," this driving sim from Competition Company and Teyon received pretty unanimous reviews. The consensus was that the game felt unfinished in key areas, notably in a year featuring high-quality racing titles. Ultimately, this disappointing sim was best left unplayed.

8. The Purrfect Bubsy Collection

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

To begin with: the irritating punctuation is a silly point of contention. This anthology of 1990s-era platforming games showcases a rude feline known for constant hacky one-liners. The consensus was that these games were not good in their time and haven't gotten better with age. The surprisingly strong user score remains a peculiar contrast to the Metascore.

7. Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact

Aggregate Score: 53, Audience Score: 3.5

This *Hunter x Hunter* fighter encountered significant backlash from both professionals and players. Issues included a limited roster of characters and a minimal offering of features. Fan reaction was notably harsh, with some stating a desire that the title's flop would have consequences for the developers.

6. Riders Vs Dogoos

Aggregate Score: 51, Audience Score: 5.3

Hailing from the niche Hyperdimension Neptunia series, this vehicle combat game tasks players with collecting cute monsters. Critics argued that its goal to channel a *Katamari Damacy*-like gameplay loop ultimately fell flat, coming across as more of a low-effort product than a substantial Neptunia game. Its 3-hour duration combined with a $40 price tag was criticized.

5. Captain Blood

Metascore: 50, Audience Score: 5.3

This title is a piece of lost media from the mid-2000s, finally released after a very long time in legal limbo. The publishers consciously chose to keep the game as an authentic product of its time, accepting that contemporary players might dislike its dated design. As such, many reviews noted that the fascinating story of its development was far richer than the game itself.

4. Salvation

Metascore: 44, User Score: 2.4

This anime-styled action game inspired by games like *Returnal* fell flat with critics. The main issues were repetitive adversaries, samey environments, and a unengaging plot. A controversial mechanic involving the character's attire was widely panned and detracted from the game's overall experience.

3. Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator

Aggregate Score: 44, Audience Score: 4.9

Think of the strategic surgery games of the past, then take out the compelling story. That, according to reviews, is pretty much *Ambulance Life*. Players found the core gameplay loop to be tedious and repetitive, and the story's portrayal of mental health topics was criticized as being poorly executed. The overall experience was deemed largely unsatisfying.

2. Tamagotchi Plaza

Aggregate Score: 43, Audience Score: 5.8

This new direction for the classic virtual pet formula turns the franchise into a minigame collection title. The result, according to critics, was a vapid collection of simple minigames that quickly became boring. Some reviews went so far as to label it one of the lowest-quality titles available on its platform, noting a complete absence of satisfying gameplay.

1. MindsEye

Aggregate Score: 37, Audience Score: 2.5

Intended to be a high-profile crime saga from a team featuring experienced developers, *MindsEye* was a catastrophic disappointment. Reviews heavily criticized its poor shooting mechanics, uninspired storytelling, and a plethora of technical problems. Several found it to be a regression compared to previous-generation games in the same genre. Among the sea of negativity, a few of positive user reviews found fun in the experience, offering a rare vote of confidence.