The year 2025 has come and gone, leaving behind a trail of video game releases that, well, didn't quite live up to expectations. And I'm not talking about the usual suspects here; we're talking about some major Xbox titles that fell flat. But here's the real kicker: these flops are not what you'd typically expect.
Let's dive into the world of gaming and uncover the stories behind these unexpected disappointments.
South of Midnight: A Game That Left Players Cold
South of Midnight, an Xbox Game Studios release, boasts a respectable Metacritic score of 77. However, its true flop status becomes evident when we examine its player engagement. Despite Xbox's claims of over a million players, the game's impact was minimal. The real telling sign? Its abysmal performance on Steam, peaking at a mere 1,438 concurrent players. To put this into perspective, Redfall, another major flop, managed a peak of 6,124 players, and it led to the closure of an entire studio.
The Problem? Lack of Interest
South of Midnight wasn't a bad game; it just didn't capture the attention of gamers. Some played it because it was conveniently available through their subscription services, but when it came to purchasing, the game failed to inspire. For an Xbox Game Studios release, this lack of enthusiasm is a significant blow.
Mindseye: The Ultimate Flop of 2025?
Mindseye takes the crown for the biggest flop of the year. Despite numerous warning signs leading up to its release, there was a surprising level of excitement surrounding this game. Why? It was the debut release from Build a Rocket Boy, founded by Leslie Benzies, the lead producer of the iconic GTA series. With a substantial budget and promising AAA production values, expectations were high.
However, the game fell short, earning a dismal Metacritic score range of 28-37, making it one of the worst games of the generation. Despite this, it managed to double South of Midnight's Steam player count, which is a testament to the power of anticipation.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 - A Flop in Context
Now, here's where it gets controversial. How can a game that sold well be considered a flop? Well, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is a prime example of why context matters. While it was one of the best-selling games of 2025, its sales were significantly lower than its predecessor, Black Ops 6, and even further from the series' top-selling installments. Activision itself acknowledged that it didn't meet sales expectations.
To add insult to injury, this release coincided with Battlefield 6, a well-received game from EA and DICE, which outsold Black Ops 7. This marked the first time Battlefield surpassed Call of Duty in sales. On top of underperforming commercially, Black Ops 7 received poor reviews from critics and players alike, earning a Metacritic score of 65 and a user score of 1.6.
The Final Straw: A Disappointing Campaign
The game's campaign is often considered the worst in the entire Call of Duty franchise. In isolation, it might be a stretch to call Black Ops 7 a flop, but when considering its context, it's an undeniable disappointment.
FBC: Firebreak - A Quiet Flop with a Twist
FBC: Firebreak is a low-key flop that slipped under the radar for many. However, given the involvement of Remedy Entertainment, one of the industry's top developers, it deserves mention. Remedy, known for their generational-defining games, has also produced their fair share of flops.
FBC: Firebreak is Remedy's first multiplayer game, and it shows. Despite attempts to boost its popularity by offering it for free on PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass at launch, it failed to gain traction. The first-person shooter released to little fanfare, with a peak of only 1,992 concurrent players on Steam.
A Tale of Two Flops
Interestingly, FBC: Firebreak, a free-to-play game on Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, managed to attract more players on Steam than South of Midnight, despite being an inferior game. This highlights the impact of marketing and player anticipation.
So, there you have it, a deep dive into the unexpected flops of 2025. What are your thoughts on these releases? Do you agree with the assessments? Join the conversation and share your insights in the comments or on the ComicBook Forum.
