I’m one of those gamers who really loves a tough challenge! There’s something so satisfying about finding a super hard game and actually getting good at it. A lot of these games are famous for being brutally difficult, and honestly, that’s part of the appeal – you just have to keep playing until you finally conquer them.
While many modern games aren’t overly difficult, there are still plenty of challenging options available. The good news is these tough games span all sorts of genres, meaning there’s a demanding experience out there for every kind of player.
Elden Ring is a Classic FromSoftware Challenge
FromSoftware is known for making difficult games, and Elden Ring continues that tradition. The game’s world is packed with powerful dragons, defeated gods, and dangerous monsters eager to defeat you.
Let me tell you, a huge part of what makes Elden Ring tough is those massive boss fights. If you rush in without getting ready, you’re gonna have a bad time. People say other FromSoftware games are harder, but Elden Ring still throws a lot of challenges your way for most of the game, honestly. It’s a rough but rewarding experience!
Celeste is as Moving as it is Difficult
Old-school platformer games are known for being tough, and Celeste brings back that classic style and challenge. It pushes you to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles, which can be incredibly stressful – but rewarding – for players.
Every level in Celeste is difficult, but the optional B-side and C-side levels are significantly harder than the main game. These levels really push players to master the jumping and dashing mechanics.
Returnal is a True Bullet-Hell
In Housemarque’s Returnal, you play as Selene, who’s stuck on an alien planet and keeps reliving the same events after each death. The game is known for its challenging enemies that fire a constant barrage of stunning, yet dangerous, attacks.
Look, I’ll be honest, dying over and over to these crazy bullet-hell bosses in Returnal can be super frustrating. It’s got that roguelike thing going on, so you’re constantly starting over. But honestly? That’s also what makes it one of the best games you can play on the PS5. It’s tough, but so rewarding when you finally break through.
Metroid Dread Will Have Fans Dreading a Replay
Nintendo games generally aren’t very challenging, but Metroid Dread is a surprisingly tough game. This first Switch installment for Samus Aran returns to the classic 2D gameplay style while featuring updated graphics and a fast-paced experience.
Even on easier settings, exploring and fighting bosses in Metroid Dread is tough. But Dread Mode ramps up the challenge significantly. In this mode, Samus can be defeated with a single hit, demanding perfect play even from experienced Metroid fans.
Ghostrunner is a Precise Platforming Nightmare
2D platform games can be challenging, but 3D platformers like Ghostrunner take things to another level. Moving quickly through its cyberpunk setting demands sharp reflexes and a lot of practice – you’ll learn by repeatedly trying and failing.
Ghostrunner is relentlessly challenging because players are defeated with a single hit. However, overcoming this difficulty and completing a level after many attempts is incredibly rewarding.
Crash 4: It’s About Time Reminded Everyone How Difficult Crash Can Be
The original Crash Bandicoot games were known for being difficult, and the newer installments are no different. Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, the first new game in the series for a long time, kept that same challenging gameplay.
As a long-time fan, let me tell you, this 2020 Crash Bandicoot release really brought back the memories – and the frustration! Seriously, enemies pop up everywhere, finding all the collectibles is a real hunt, and those bonus levels? They demand perfect timing and platforming skills. It’s exactly the challenging experience a whole new generation of gamers got to discover, and it’s awesome!
Cuphead is a Shot in the Arm for Classic Cartoon Fans
From the beginning, Cuphead quickly became known as a really enjoyable but tough game, thanks to its old-fashioned cartoon style and straightforward run-and-gun action. The boss fights are particularly challenging, demanding that players carefully watch for and react to a wide variety of attacks.
So, I finally beat the main game, and now I’ve unlocked Expert Mode! Let me tell you, it’s brutal. The bosses hit way harder and have so much more health. Honestly, Cuphead is already tough as nails – you die a lot just trying to get through a level or beat a boss, but this takes it to a whole new level. It’s definitely not a game for anyone who gets easily frustrated!
Hollow Knight: Silksong is Anything But Hollow
The first Hollow Knight was known for being challenging, but Hollow Knight: Silksong is significantly more difficult. Hornet remains incredibly nimble, and the game’s levels and bosses are designed to match, delivering tougher and more punishing encounters.
Let me tell you, Silksong is going to demand some serious skill. It’s not enough to just jump around – you’ll need to be a platforming pro and really learn enemy attack patterns if you want to actually finish it. Even with all the cool new moves Hornet has, enemies won’t hesitate to punish you for a single mistake!
Lies of P is a Dark and Difficult Twist on a Classic Tale
Lies of P is a challenging action game inspired by the story of Pinocchio. It reimagines the classic tale in a dark, turn-of-the-century city overrun by dangerous puppets. Like other games in the ‘Souls-like’ genre, players need to carefully plan their battles, as defeat is common.
To defeat the challenging bosses in Lies of P, you’ll need to carefully build and upgrade your weapons with the right stats and elemental effects. Focusing on the correct upgrades can be the key to success, turning a difficult fight into an easier one. While the game offers deep and rewarding systems to master, it remains a very challenging experience overall.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Will Demand Everything From You
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is known as one of the most challenging games FromSoftware has ever created, and even stands out as exceptionally difficult compared to other games in the action genre. Its combat relies heavily on precise timing and deflecting attacks, pushing even experienced players to their limits.
The enemies in the game are incredibly dangerous, and can defeat you quickly. Becoming skilled at Sekiro‘s combat and movement takes a lot of practice and learning from mistakes. While Sekiro can be challenging and even frustrating, overcoming those difficulties and completing the game is ultimately very rewarding.
Read More
- Mckenna Grace’s New Body Horror Is Officially the No. 1 Film on Paramount+ in the U.S.
- Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed Cast Teases the Show’s Wild Mystery
- Everyone Is Flocking to Taylor Sheridan’s Best Yellowstone Spinoff in Years
- New Lord Of The Rings Movie Confirms 25 Years Of Waiting Is Finally Over
- Disney’s Maleficent Is Officially a Cult Classic
- Sheep In The Box: Hirokazu Koreeda’s Curious Sci-Fi Drama Explores Grief Through AI
- Netflix’s 2-Part True Crime Thriller Is The Closest We Have Come To A Film Noir Revival
- The 8 Best X-Files Episodes Written By Vince Gilligan
- The Mandalorian & Grogu’s Ending Explained: What’s Next For Din Djarin & Grogu?
- Garrett’s Tattoo Meaning & Origin Story In Off Campus Explained: What Does “Nullum Gratuitum Prandium” Mean?
2026-05-27 20:44