Gamers searching for stellar experiences this year were truly spoiled for choice. Indie and AA games have reached amazing levels of success with Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades 2, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Dispatch, and Blue Prince. Multiplayer lovers received a return to form with Battlefield 6 and the welcome surprise that is ARC Raiders, while AAA releases like Donkey Kong: Bananza and Death Stranding 2 lived up to expectations. Yet for all that good, there naturally had to be a bit of bad, with a handful of titles failing to reach their full potential.
Not every disappointing game released in 2025 can be considered bad—in fact, one of them is even a well-reviewed, high-quality title, marred by performance problems and poor post-launch support after having tons of potential. Whether it was due to a long wait where the payoff ultimately wasn’t worth it, launches so messy that the game couldn’t recover, or a failure to live up to a predecessor beloved by many, these eight games were the biggest letdowns of the year. The following titles are presented in alphabetical order.
FBC: Firebreak
Check Out The Best War Games’s FBC: Firebreak review
When FBC: Firebreak was first revealed, fans of Remedy’s Connected Universe were interested to see how the game would expand the studio’s mind-bending interconnected story…but in reality, it didn’t provide much meaningful lore at all. This was a big problem, not only because the narratives of Remedy games are a big draw, but because a similarly strong story would have been a hook to get those not into FBC's genre of choice on board. For those who prefer Remedy's traditional third-person action and horror games over first-person co-op shooters, FBC: Firebreak was always going to be a tough sell, but it did itself no favors by telling a simple story about ending The Oldest House lockdown.
- Sparse, unimpactful storytelling
- Underwhelming gameplay fundamentals
- A rough launch and weak follow-up updates
Add on the weaponry feeling clunky, enemies being unsatisfying to fight, a lack of content, and a repetitive gameplay loop, and it’s hard not to see it as a failed experiment. To Remedy’s credit, a major update is planned for January that will add content like an endless survival mode. But many players, the damage is likely already done due to the tedious launch experience, with recent FBC: Firebreak updates not hitting the mark either.
FBC: Firebreak
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 65 /100 Critics Rec: 25%
- Released
- June 17, 2025
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Blood
- Developer(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Remedy Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Lost Soul Aside
Check Out Lost Soul Aside on OpenCritic
Lost Soul Aside had garnered a lot of interest prior to launch, and if one goes back and looks over its promotional material, it’s not hard to see why. Its graphics were stunning, and all the glimpses at gameplay had players comparing the game to Final Fantasy 16, with many hopeful that they would get to play a game on par with the award-winning project. However, Lost Soul Aside was not the FF16 successor gamers had hoped for.
- Lackluster narrative and presentation
- Shallow, repetitive gameplay
- Marketing mismatch and unmet expectations
Whereas that game’s story has some major highs, Lost Soul Aside’s narrative is packed with lows, and both its dialogue and performances are a far cry from something like Ben Starr’s portrayal of Clive Rosfield. Additionally, while the combat of Lost Soul Aside is indeed flashy, it lacks weightiness and doesn’t get deeper until the game has already become repetitive. Audio issues and weak exploration also take away from the experience. Add on the marketing making Lost Soul Aside out to be a deep RPG, when in reality it’s more of an action game, and many players ultimately felt as if they were misled.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 63 /100 Critics Rec: 21%
- Released
- August 29, 2025
- ESRB
- Rating Pending
- Developer(s)
- Ultizero Games
- Publisher(s)
- PlayStation Studios
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure, JRPG
MindsEye
Check Out MindsEye on OpenCritic
A shoo-in for this list, MindsEye came and went back in July, leaving some admittedly hilarious clips of bugs and glitches in its wake. Unlike games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Assassin’s Creed Unity, though, where a solid video game emerges after the kinks are ironed out, MindsEye doesn’t have much going for it if one looks beyond its numerous bugs. In another case of marketing not meeting expectations, players expected an open-world GTA-like game to keep them busy as Grand Theft Auto 6 continued to get pushed back, but what they got instead was a largely on-rails experience where they are chastised for deviating from the objective, unable to freely swap between vehicles, and so on.
- Severe gameplay limitations and restrictive design
- Severe mismatch between developer talks, marketing materials, and the reality of the game
- Overall poor execution across the board
Free roam in the open world provides little to do, as the rich customization for cars and characters seen in similar games is completely absent. And if all that wasn’t enough, awkward dialogue and flat characters fumble the interesting story premise. MindsEye earned its status as one of the only games where PlayStation Store refunds have been granted, as it disappoints in virtually every way.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 33 /100 Critics Rec: 6%
- Released
- June 10, 2025
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Build A Rocket Boy
- Publisher(s)
- IO Interactive Partners A/S
WHERE TO PLAY
Monster Hunter Wilds
Check Out The Best War Games’s Monster Hunter Wilds Review
Going from MindsEye to Monster Hunter Wilds presents a real sense of whiplash, as Monster Hunter Wilds is the most critically acclaimed game on this list. With an 88 on Metacritic and an 89 on OpenCritic, it’s clear that Monster Hunter Wilds is absolutely a game worth playing through. However, a good game can also be disappointing, as indicated by the low user scores and Monster Hunter Wilds' mixed Steam reviews (which dropped to Overwhelmingly Negative at one point). That said, the story is stronger than a traditional Monster Hunter game thanks to a voiced protagonist and named characters, even if some feel it gets in the way of gameplay too often. The world and its creatures are gorgeous, though this likely contributed to the messy release where PC users experienced constant crashes.
- Poor optimization and technical support
- Weak post-launch support
- A dramatic drop in challenge and depth
However, PC performance and a slightly overbearing story wouldn’t be enough to consider Monster Hunter Wilds disappointing. Instead, there are two more key issues with the game. Post-launch support is the first, as players have had little reason to stick with the game when they’re stuck waiting three months between new monster releases. Even more importantly, though, is that longtime fans feel the game is far too easy and lacks depth. Everything in Monster Hunter Wilds is streamlined, so much so that players don’t need to grind for gear to take on certain monsters, spend less time tracking their foes, and so on. Instead of strategizing after they hit a wall, players will be taking down nearly every foe with ease, which is a far cry from challenging games like Monster Hunter World.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 89 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
WHERE TO PLAY
Splitgate 2
Check Out Splitgate 2 on OpenCritic
The biggest criticism about Splitgate 2 is an argument that applies to every facet of the game: the sequel feels largely unnecessary. The defining portal mechanic that made the original Splitgate stand out isn’t used in many interesting ways with Splitgate 2, with the newer maps failing to take full advantage of the gates. Features like loadouts were criticized for going against the simplicity that made the original click, while new additions like the battle royale mode were instantly shunned for trend-chasing upon being unveiled.
- The sequel doesn't feel like a proper sequel
- Design choices that clash with what made Splitgate great
- Monetization and launch mistakes aplenty
Add on controversial monetization and a lack of free rewards to work toward, and it’s clear why players feel like Splitgate 2 is an unworthy follow-up to the game that preceded it. Following an embarrassing reveal and all the criticism that followed its first release, Splitgate 2 returned to a beta state in July and will finally re-launch on December 4, though it remains to be seen if it can redeem itself.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 70 /100 Critics Rec: 45%
- Released
- June 6, 2025
- ESRB
- teen
- Developer(s)
- 1047 Games
- Publisher(s)
- 1047 Games
WHERE TO PLAY
Tales of the Shire
Check Out The Best War Games’s Tales of the Shire Review
On paper, Tales of the Shire had everything going for it. The titular setting and its adorable, relaxed Hobbits are perfect for the cozy genre, and the world of Middle-earth is packed to the brim with potential decor options and characters to interact with. Unfortunately, despite a solid cooking system, there’s not much going for the game. Its art style has been criticized for being ugly and dated, but that doesn't help its performance, with the game poorly optimized for both PC and consoles.
- Uninspired presentation and poor performance
- Monotonous, charm-lacking gameplay
- A squandered setting with little depth
Bugs and frame rate issues could be ignored if the gameplay nailed the vibe, but it unfortunately doesn’t, becoming monotonous quite quickly and lacking the charm one would expect from such a game. Navigating the environment only adds to the tedium, too, as following the butterflies proves less immersive than something like Ghost of Tsushima’s guiding wind and is more annoying than whimsical. After so much waiting for Tales of the Shire, it’s unfortunate how forgettable the game proved to be.
- Released
- July 29, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Wētā Workshop
- Publisher(s)
- Private Division
- Franchise
- The Lord of the Rings
- Number of Players
- 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Tamagotchi Plaza
Check Out Tamagotchi Plaza on OpenCritic
Tamagotchi Plaza had all the potential to shine with Animal Crossing lying dormant and The Sims’ slow crawl to the release of the multiplayer-focused Project Rene Sims game. However, it fails to fill the "cozy game franchise" void, as it’s widely viewed by fans and critics as a downgrade from previous entries in the series. Customization is far more limited than what came before, and it’s unlocked through passwords that can simply be looked up online as opposed to being unlocked through the rewarding grind of upgrading shops.
- Shallow, uneven gameplay
- Divisive art direction undermined by severe limits
- Lacking content paired with poor value
Missing Tamagotchi, no playable Violetchi, repetitive mini-games, and a lack of tutorials are all other issues with the title. There may be fun to be had for those who enjoy corner shop gameplay, but the price tag can be hard to justify for what is essentially a mini-game collection. With the 3D art style being a bit divisive given the series’ history of 2D aesthetics, this isn’t the full-fledged console release many cozy gamers were hoping for.
- Released
- June 27, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Hyde, Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Multiplayer
- Local Co-Op
- Number of Players
- 1-2 players
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Simulation, Life Simulation
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
Check Out The Best War Games’s Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 Review
The final title on this list resembles Tales of the Shire in the sense that players had to endure a long wait and many delays before it was released, but it being the sequel to a cult classic brings about an added layer of disappointment. A shift in studios meant a troubled development for the game, but unlike other games stuck in development hell that overcame those struggles, Bloodlines 2 fails to meet expectations. With the original game being an RPG, players were hoping for the sequel to have a similar focus. Unfortunately, it does not, being more of an action game than anything else.
- A disappointing genre shift paired with a misleading title
- Limited player agency and content
- Development Hell clearly took its toll
With a lack of impactful clan choices, a linear main story, and few meaningful side quests despite the original nailing this feature, it’s clear as day why fans felt let down by this sequel. Yes, there are redeeming qualities, such as the character of Fabian, but it fails as a Bloodlines successor. Had it been given a different subtitle that better matched its significant genre shift, the reception may have been less harsh. Even as Bloodlines 2 moved away from what made the original work, it hung onto an all-important subtitle that suggests it’s something it isn’t.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 63 /100 Critics Rec: 27%
- Released
- October 21, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Nudity, Drug Reference, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- The Chinese Room
- Publisher(s)
- Paradox Interactive
