The Hardest Video Games Ever Made are beloved for their relentless challenges, demanding combat, and rewarding sense of accomplishment.
Whether you enjoy mastering punishing boss fights, surviving unforgiving roguelikes, conquering brutally difficult platformers, or overcoming tactical strategy games, the titles below represent some of the toughest gaming experiences ever created. Rather than simply listing difficult games, we’ve grouped them by genre so you can quickly find the type of challenge that suits you best.
TL;DR – The Hardest Video Games Ever Made
Table of Contents
Difficulty has always been one of gaming’s greatest attractions.
While some players prefer relaxed adventures, others actively seek games that demand patience, mechanical skill, quick reflexes, and the willingness to learn from failure. These are the titles that turn every victory into a memorable achievement.
Not every difficult game tests players in the same way. Soulslikes reward careful observation and precision, platformers punish even the smallest mistakes, roguelikes force you to adapt to unpredictable situations, and tactical games challenge your decision-making.
To make this guide easier to navigate, we’ve organized the games by genre instead of ranking them from easiest to hardest.
The Hardest Soulslike Games
Soulslikes have become synonymous with challenging gameplay.
These games expect players to study enemy patterns, master dodges and parries, carefully manage stamina, and accept that failure is simply part of the learning process.
Every boss defeated feels earned rather than given, making the genre one of the most rewarding for players who enjoy overcoming steep obstacles.
Lies of P
Average Playtime: Around 30 hours
Rating: 82/100
Lies of P takes the familiar tale of Pinocchio and transforms it into a dark Belle Époque-inspired nightmare filled with deadly puppets, grotesque monsters, and relentless bosses. While its atmosphere immediately draws comparisons to Bloodborne, the combat system introduces enough original mechanics to establish its own identity.
The game’s defining feature is its emphasis on perfect guarding. Although dodging remains viable, mastering precise parries often becomes the safest way to survive against increasingly aggressive enemies. The Legion Arm system, weapon assembly mechanic, and diverse build options encourage experimentation while still demanding mechanical precision from the player.
Boss encounters are where Lies of P truly earns its reputation. Many fights feature multiple phases, delayed attacks designed to bait early reactions, and devastating combos that punish panic. Success comes from patience, memorizing attack patterns, and gradually improving through repeated attempts rather than relying on brute force.
Lies of P
Release Date: September 19, 2023
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- Excellent parry-focused combat with satisfying feedback.
- Creative weapon crafting allows dozens of effective combinations.
- Memorable boss fights that reward practice instead of luck.
- Dark, atmospheric world inspired by gothic horror.
FAQ – Lies of P
Is Lies of P harder than Dark Souls?
Many players consider several bosses harder thanks to the demanding perfect guard system, although the overall difficulty is comparable.
Can you finish Lies of P without parrying?
It’s possible, but mastering perfect guards makes many late-game encounters significantly more manageable.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Average Playtime: Around 30 hours
Rating: 90/100
Author recommendation
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice abandons traditional RPG builds in favor of pure player skill. Every encounter revolves around swordplay, posture management, perfectly timed deflections, and relentless aggression. There is no option to overlevel your character or summon help for difficult bosses, making personal improvement the only reliable path to victory.
Instead of slowly reducing enemy health, players must break an opponent’s posture through continuous pressure and flawless defense. This creates fast-paced duels where every successful parry pushes you closer to victory, while hesitation often leads to defeat.
Legendary bosses such as Genichiro Ashina, Guardian Ape, Owl, and Isshin the Sword Saint are widely regarded as some of FromSoftware’s greatest achievements. Each battle feels like a carefully designed test of everything the game has taught you.
Sekiro : Shadows Die Twice
Release Date: March 22, 2019
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- Perhaps the best sword combat system ever created.
- Boss fights built around mastering mechanics rather than statistics.
- Aggressive gameplay that constantly rewards confidence.
- Extremely satisfying learning curve with memorable victories.
FAQ – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Why is Sekiro considered so difficult?
Its combat demands perfect timing, and players cannot rely on traditional RPG leveling to overcome difficult encounters.
Is Sekiro a Soulslike?
Yes, although its emphasis on parrying and posture makes it feel very different from Dark Souls or Elden Ring.
Dark Souls Remastered
Average Playtime: Around 43 hours
Rating: 84/100
Dark Souls Remastered remains one of the most influential action RPGs ever made. Its interconnected world, methodical combat, and uncompromising approach to exploration laid the foundation for an entire genre that continues to shape modern game design.
Combat is deliberately slower than many modern Soulslikes, placing greater emphasis on positioning, stamina management, shield usage, and patience. Careless attacks are heavily punished, while careful observation and preparation are consistently rewarded.
Beyond its memorable bosses, Lordran itself is a major source of difficulty. Dangerous shortcuts, hidden traps, powerful enemies, and limited checkpoints mean every expedition into unknown territory feels tense. Simply reaching the next bonfire often feels like an accomplishment.
Dark Souls: Remastered
Release Date: May 24, 2018
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- The game that defined the Soulslike genre.
- Brilliant interconnected world design.
- Methodical combat that rewards patience.
- Some of gaming’s most iconic bosses and locations.
FAQ – Dark Souls Remastered
Is Dark Souls Remastered still worth playing?
Absolutely. It remains one of the defining games of the genre and still offers an exceptional challenge.
Can beginners beat Dark Souls?
Yes. The learning curve is steep, but patience and persistence are far more important than quick reflexes.
Elden Ring + Shadow of the Erdtree
Average Playtime: Around 65 hours (Main Story), 95+ hours with Shadow of the Erdtree
Rating: 96/100
Elden Ring takes the challenging formula established by Dark Souls and expands it into a massive open world filled with optional dungeons, hidden bosses, dangerous regions, and nearly endless build possibilities.
While players have far more freedom than in previous FromSoftware games, the difficulty remains uncompromising, especially during the late game.
The freedom to explore means you can leave difficult encounters behind and return stronger, but some enemies simply refuse to become easy. Bosses such as Malenia, Mohg, Maliketh, and Radagon demand exceptional timing, positioning, and knowledge of their attack patterns regardless of your build.
Shadow of the Erdtree raises the challenge even further.
Enemies hit dramatically harder, bosses chain together longer attack combinations, and the new Scadutree Blessing progression encourages players to carefully explore before taking on the expansion’s toughest encounters. Many fans consider Promised Consort Radahn one of FromSoftware’s hardest bosses to date.
Elden Ring | Shadow of the Erdtree Edition
Release Date: February 25, 2022
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- Huge open world packed with difficult optional content.
- Incredible variety of builds and weapons.
- Some of the hardest boss fights FromSoftware has ever created.
- Shadow of the Erdtree significantly increases the overall challenge.
FAQ – Elden Ring
Is Elden Ring easier than Dark Souls?
Its open world gives players more options, but many late-game bosses are considered even more demanding than those in Dark Souls.
Does Shadow of the Erdtree increase the difficulty?
Yes. The expansion introduces some of the toughest enemies and boss fights in the entire game.
Dark Souls III + The Ringed City
Average Playtime: Around 40 hours, 55+ hours with DLC
Rating: 89/100
Dark Souls III combines the deliberate pacing of the original Dark Souls with the faster combat introduced by Bloodborne. The result is a game that constantly pressures players to react quickly while still respecting traditional Souls mechanics such as stamina management and careful positioning.
The base game features memorable encounters like Pontiff Sulyvahn, Nameless King, and the Soul of Cinder, but the real challenge begins in The Ringed City. This expansion contains several of the most demanding battles in FromSoftware history, requiring near-perfect execution and exceptional patience.
Slave Knight Gael remains one of gaming’s greatest final bosses, combining aggressive melee attacks, ranged pressure, and spectacular multi-phase combat into a duel that tests everything players have learned throughout the adventure.
Dark Souls III
Release Date: April 11, 2016
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- Fast-paced Souls combat with excellent boss design.
- The Ringed City offers some of the hardest DLC content ever made.
- Fantastic weapon variety and character builds.
- Memorable conclusion to the Dark Souls trilogy.
FAQ – Dark Souls III
Is Dark Souls III harder than Dark Souls Remastered?
Its faster combat and more aggressive bosses make it more mechanically demanding for many players.
Is The Ringed City worth playing?
Absolutely. It’s widely regarded as one of the best and most challenging DLC expansions ever released.
Nioh 2
Average Playtime: Around 55 hours
Rating: 85/100
Nioh 2 builds upon Team Ninja’s already demanding combat system by introducing even more weapons, abilities, and enemy types. Although often compared to Dark Souls, it plays much faster and places far greater emphasis on mastering complex mechanics.
Players must juggle Ki Pulse timing, stance switching, Yokai abilities, Burst Counters, weapon skills, and stamina management simultaneously. Learning each system individually is only the beginning. The true challenge comes from combining them seamlessly during increasingly chaotic battles.
The game also features brutally difficult optional missions, New Game Plus cycles, and endgame content that pushes even experienced Souls veterans to their limits. Mechanical execution is every bit as important as character progression.
Nioh 2
Release Date: February 05, 2021
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- Deep combat system with enormous skill ceiling.
- Exceptional weapon variety and build customization.
- Demanding boss fights requiring multiple mechanics.
- Excellent long-term replay value through endgame content.
FAQ – Nioh 2
Is Nioh 2 harder than Dark Souls?
Many players think so because its combat systems are significantly more complex and mechanically demanding.
Do you need to play Nioh first?
No. Nioh 2 works well as a standalone experience despite sharing mechanics with its predecessor.
The Hardest Action & Hack-and-Slash Games
Unlike Soulslikes, these games rarely encourage slow and methodical combat.
Instead, they reward aggressive play, lightning-fast reactions, mastery of complex combo systems, and split-second decision-making.
Success isn’t determined by your character’s level, but by your ability to execute difficult mechanics under constant pressure.
Devil May Cry 5 (Dante Must Die)
Average Playtime: Around 11 hours (Main Story)
Rating: 89/100
Devil May Cry 5 isn’t particularly punishing on its standard difficulty settings, but everything changes once you unlock Dante Must Die. Enemies become dramatically stronger, gain Devil Trigger during combat, and punish every mistake with devastating damage, transforming familiar encounters into brutal tests of execution.
The game’s greatest challenge lies in mastering its incredibly deep combat mechanics. Dante alone has four combat styles, multiple melee weapons, firearms, and countless combo routes that can be chained together almost endlessly. Learning to switch between them efficiently while avoiding damage requires hundreds of hours of practice.
Unlike many difficult action games, Devil May Cry 5 doesn’t simply ask you to survive. It encourages you to win with style. Maintaining high Style Rankings while fighting empowered enemies adds another layer of difficulty that few hack-and-slash games can match.
Devil May Cry 5
Release Date: March 08, 2019
Genres: Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- One of the deepest combat systems ever created.
- Dante Must Die completely transforms the game’s difficulty.
- Huge mechanical skill ceiling for players who love mastering combos.
- Highly replayable thanks to multiple playable characters.
FAQ – Devil May Cry 5
Is Dante Must Die the hardest mode?
No. Hell and Hell is technically harder, but Dante Must Die is widely considered the game’s ultimate test of combat mastery.
Can beginners play Devil May Cry 5?
Yes. The campaign is approachable, but mastering higher difficulties requires significant practice.
NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black
Average Playtime: Around 15 hours
Rating: 85/100
NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black continues Team Ninja’s reputation for creating some of the fastest and most unforgiving action games ever made. Ryu Hayabusa possesses an enormous arsenal of weapons and devastating techniques, but enemies are equally lethal and rarely give players a chance to recover.
Combat is built around speed, precision, and constant movement. Groups of enemies attack simultaneously, ranged attackers pressure you from every direction, and powerful bosses demand near-perfect execution. Defensive play is rarely enough, as hesitation usually results in being overwhelmed.
The game’s infamous higher difficulty settings introduce even more aggressive enemy behavior and larger encounters, forcing players to fully understand advanced mechanics such as Ultimate Techniques, Izuna Drops, and weapon-specific combo routes.
NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Genres: Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- Extremely fast-paced combat with little room for mistakes.
- Large variety of weapons that all play differently.
- Higher difficulties dramatically change enemy encounters.
- A legendary challenge for fans of character action games.
FAQ – NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black
Why is NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black so difficult?
Enemies attack relentlessly, deal massive damage, and require players to react almost instantly throughout every encounter.
Is NINJA GAIDEN harder than Sekiro?
They’re difficult for different reasons, but many players consider NINJA GAIDEN’s relentless combat even less forgiving.
Sifu
Average Playtime: Around 12 hours
Rating: 81/100
Author recommendation
Sifu combines martial arts action with a unique aging mechanic that turns every defeat into a meaningful decision. Each time your character falls in battle, they grow older, becoming stronger but steadily losing the opportunity to finish the game before reaching old age.
Combat revolves around reading enemy attacks, performing precise parries, avoiding high and low strikes, and managing crowds without becoming surrounded. While individual enemies are dangerous, the game’s greatest challenge often comes from surviving long combat sequences without accumulating too many deaths.
Boss fights demand patience and mechanical consistency. Every opponent introduces new attack patterns and punishes panic, making repeated attempts feel like genuine martial arts training rather than simple trial and error.
Sifu
Release Date: March 28, 2023
Genres: Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Excellent hand-to-hand combat inspired by kung fu films.
- Unique aging system adds tension to every mistake.
- Demanding boss fights that reward careful observation.
- Encourages mastery instead of grinding for stronger equipment.
FAQ – Sifu
Can you finish Sifu without aging much?
Yes, but doing so requires mastering every level and defeating bosses with very few deaths.
Is Sifu similar to Sekiro?
Both reward perfect timing and parries, although Sifu focuses on martial arts rather than sword combat.
Furi
Average Playtime: Around 6-8 hours
Rating: 81/100
Furi strips away exploration and filler content to focus entirely on one thing: unforgettable boss fights. Every encounter blends melee combat, ranged bullet-hell sequences, parries, dodges, and lightning-fast reactions into lengthy duels that constantly test your concentration.
Each boss introduces entirely new mechanics and attack patterns, forcing players to adapt rather than rely on a single strategy. Victory rarely comes on the first attempt, but every defeat teaches valuable lessons that gradually lead to mastery.
Because there are no ordinary enemies between bosses, every fight feels like a climactic final encounter. The game maintains relentless intensity from beginning to end, making it one of the purest skill-based action games available.
Furi
Release Date: July 05, 2016
Genres: Shooter, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Every level is a memorable multi-phase boss fight.
- Excellent blend of melee combat and bullet-hell gameplay.
- Requires exceptional timing and concentration.
- Perfect for players who enjoy learning through repetition.
FAQ – Furi
Is Furi entirely boss fights?
Almost. The game is built around consecutive boss battles connected by short walking sections.
Is Furi worth playing if I enjoy Sekiro?
Definitely. Both games reward precise parries, quick reactions, and learning boss attack patterns through repeated attempts.
The Hardest Platformers
Precision platformers push mechanical skill to its limits.
Every jump, dash, wall climb, and landing must be perfectly timed, while even the smallest mistake often sends players back to the last checkpoint.
These games reward persistence, muscle memory, and an almost obsessive drive to improve with every attempt.
Super Meat Boy
Average Playtime: Around 10 hours
Rating: 90/100
Super Meat Boy helped define the modern precision platformer. Every level is short, but surviving spinning saws, collapsing platforms, missiles, and tiny ledges requires near-perfect execution. Death comes quickly, but instant respawns keep frustration to a minimum and encourage players to try again immediately.
What makes the game so addictive is its brilliant learning curve. Levels initially appear impossible, yet after dozens of attempts your movements become automatic. This gradual mastery is one of Super Meat Boy’s greatest strengths.
The later worlds and optional Dark World stages dramatically increase the challenge. Completing every level, collecting bandages, and unlocking secret characters can take dozens of additional hours even for experienced platforming fans.
Super Meat Boy
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Near-perfect precision platforming.
- Instant respawns keep the action flowing.
- Hundreds of brutally difficult levels.
- Excellent replay value for completionists.
FAQ – Super Meat Boy
Why is Super Meat Boy so difficult?
The game demands pixel-perfect movement, fast reactions, and consistent execution throughout increasingly complex levels.
Is Super Meat Boy harder than Celeste?
Many players think so, especially when tackling the Dark World stages and optional completion challenges.
Geometry Dash
Average Playtime: Endless
Rating: 87/100
Geometry Dash transforms simple one-button controls into one of gaming’s greatest tests of rhythm and precision. Every obstacle must be cleared with exact timing, while the game’s soundtrack acts as both your guide and your greatest distraction.
The official levels are only the beginning. The enormous community has created thousands of custom stages, including legendary Extreme Demons that have become famous for requiring hundreds or even thousands of attempts before completion.
Unlike many difficult games that reward experimentation, Geometry Dash is almost entirely about consistency. Success comes from memorizing every obstacle and executing an almost flawless run from start to finish.
Geometry Dash
Release Date: December 22, 2014
Genres: Music, Platform, Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Why You Might Like It
- Simple controls with enormous skill depth.
- Massive library of community-created levels.
- Excellent rhythm-based gameplay.
- One of the toughest precision games ever made.
FAQ – Geometry Dash
What are Extreme Demons?
They’re the highest difficulty category for community-created levels and rank among the hardest gaming challenges available.
Can beginners enjoy Geometry Dash?
Yes. The official campaign introduces mechanics gradually before players attempt the most difficult custom stages.
Jump King
Average Playtime: Around 8-12 hours
Rating: 82/100
Jump King proves that one simple mechanic can create extraordinary difficulty. Every jump must be carefully charged before release, and even a tiny mistake can send players tumbling back through several previously completed areas.
Unlike traditional platformers, there are almost no checkpoints to soften failure. Progress depends entirely on consistency, patience, and developing a precise understanding of the game’s unusual jumping mechanics.
The psychological challenge is just as important as the mechanical one. Maintaining focus after losing twenty minutes of progress is often harder than making the jumps themselves.
Jump King
Release Date: May 03, 2019
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Simple controls with surprising depth.
- Massive punishment for even tiny mistakes.
- Extremely rewarding sense of progression.
- A true test of patience and concentration.
FAQ – Jump King
Why do players find Jump King frustrating?
One failed jump can erase a significant amount of progress, making consistency absolutely essential.
Is Jump King harder than Getting Over It?
Both are extremely demanding, although Jump King focuses more on precision platforming than physics-based movement.
Celeste
Average Playtime: Around 8 hours
Rating: 92/100
Celeste is often praised for its heartfelt story, but it also ranks among the finest precision platformers ever made. The controls are incredibly responsive, allowing skilled players to perform difficult sequences with remarkable consistency.
The main campaign gradually introduces new mechanics, but the true challenge begins with the optional B-Sides, C-Sides, and the infamous Farewell chapter. These levels demand exceptional timing, creative movement, and absolute control over every dash and wall climb.
What sets Celeste apart is its excellent balance between accessibility and mastery. Optional Assist Mode allows newcomers to enjoy the story, while advanced players can pursue some of the toughest platforming challenges ever designed.
Celeste
Release Date: January 25, 2018
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Outstanding precision platforming.
- Optional content significantly increases the challenge.
- Excellent movement mechanics.
- A rewarding progression from beginner to expert.
FAQ – Celeste
Is Celeste difficult?
Yes. While the main story is manageable, the optional chapters rank among the hardest platforming content ever created.
Can beginners finish Celeste?
Absolutely. Assist Mode allows players to adjust the difficulty without taking away the game’s emotional story.
Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy
Average Playtime: Around 6 hours
Rating: 84/100
Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy is less about platforming skill and more about emotional endurance. Using only a hammer, players must climb an enormous mountain filled with awkward surfaces, unforgiving physics, and constant opportunities to lose hours of progress.
The intentionally difficult control scheme forces players to rethink how they approach movement. Every climb requires careful planning, delicate adjustments, and absolute concentration.
Few games punish mistakes as severely. One poorly placed swing can send you crashing back toward the beginning, making every successful climb feel genuinely meaningful.
Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy
Release Date: December 06, 2017
Genres: Platform, Simulator, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Unique physics-based gameplay.
- Constant tension from meaningful failure.
- Requires patience more than fast reflexes.
- One of gaming’s most memorable challenge experiences.
FAQ – Getting Over It
Can you lose all your progress?
Yes. A single mistake can send you back through large portions of the mountain.
Why is Getting Over It so popular?
Its unique combination of difficult physics, psychological challenge, and rewarding progression has made it a modern gaming classic.
Battletoads (2020)
Average Playtime: Around 6 hours
Rating: 72/100
Battletoads (2020) successfully revives one of gaming’s most infamous franchises while modernizing its visuals and gameplay. Although more forgiving than the legendary 1991 original, it still delivers a demanding experience, especially on the highest difficulty settings where enemy aggression, damage output, and lengthy encounters push players to their limits.
The game constantly changes its formula by blending classic beat ’em up combat with platforming, vehicle sequences, puzzle segments, and numerous unexpected gameplay twists. Every stage introduces new mechanics, preventing players from relying on a single strategy throughout the campaign.
Playing solo can be surprisingly punishing during difficult encounters, while local or online co-op allows friends to coordinate attacks and revive each other. Even then, success requires strong teamwork and careful execution during the game’s toughest battles.
Battletoads
Release Date: August 20, 2020
Genres: Fighting, Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- A challenging modern beat ’em up with varied gameplay.
- Constantly introduces fresh mechanics and level designs.
- Great cooperative experience that still demands skill.
- A faithful revival of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises.
FAQ – Battletoads (2020)
Is Battletoads (2020) as difficult as the original?
No. It’s more accessible overall, but higher difficulty settings still provide a significant challenge.
Can you play Battletoads in co-op?
Yes. Up to three players can work together throughout the campaign.
I Wanna Be The Guy
Average Playtime: Around 15-25 hours
Rating: Not clearly available
I Wanna Be The Guy has achieved legendary status thanks to its unapologetically unfair design. Inspired by classic platformers, it constantly subverts player expectations through hidden traps, fake checkpoints, unpredictable hazards, and bosses that require near-perfect execution.
Unlike most difficult games, failure often comes from surprise rather than mechanical complexity alone. Apples suddenly fall upward, platforms disappear without warning, and seemingly safe areas become deadly in an instant. Memorization becomes just as important as reflexes.
Despite its brutal reputation, the game has inspired an entire subgenre of fan-made precision platformers. Completing it remains a badge of honor within the gaming community and a testament to extraordinary patience.
Why You Might Like It
- One of the most infamous challenge platformers ever made.
- Requires both precision and memorization.
- Constantly surprises players with unexpected traps.
- A cult classic that inspired countless fan games.
FAQ – I Wanna Be The Guy
Why is I Wanna Be The Guy so famous?
Its unpredictable traps and extreme difficulty helped make it one of the internet’s earliest cult challenge games.
Is I Wanna Be The Guy fair?
Not always. The game intentionally surprises players with hidden hazards that must be learned through trial and error.
The Hardest Metroidvanias
Metroidvanias combine exploration, character progression, and challenging combat into sprawling interconnected worlds.
While discovering new abilities opens previously inaccessible paths, survival still depends on mastering difficult platforming sections and increasingly demanding boss fights.
The best entries reward curiosity just as much as mechanical skill.
Hollow Knight
Average Playtime: Around 27 hours
Rating: 90/100
Hollow Knight is widely regarded as one of the greatest metroidvanias ever created, but it also ranks among the genre’s toughest challenges. Hallownest is filled with dangerous enemies, hidden secrets, and demanding boss fights that reward patience, precision, and careful observation.
As players unlock new movement abilities, exploration becomes increasingly rewarding. However, the game’s optional content significantly raises the difficulty. Encounters against Nightmare King Grimm, Pure Vessel, and the infamous Pantheon challenges push even experienced players to their limits.
The elegant combat system combines quick melee attacks, spells, healing, and charm customization into encounters that feel both fair and incredibly satisfying. Every defeat teaches valuable lessons, making eventual victories all the more rewarding.
Hollow Knight
Release Date: February 24, 2017
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Outstanding world design packed with secrets.
- Excellent balance between exploration and combat.
- Optional bosses rival the difficulty of Souls games.
- Deep customization through the Charm system.
FAQ – Hollow Knight
Is Hollow Knight harder than Dark Souls?
Many optional bosses are just as challenging, although the gameplay emphasizes mobility instead of stamina management.
What is the hardest challenge in Hollow Knight?
The Pantheon of Hallownest is widely considered the game’s ultimate test of endurance and skill.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Average Playtime: Around 30-35 hours
Rating: 91/100
Hollow Knight: Silksong builds upon everything that made its predecessor exceptional while introducing a faster, more acrobatic combat system centered around Hornet’s agility. Her expanded moveset encourages constant movement, aerial attacks, and aggressive play, resulting in encounters that demand even sharper reflexes.
Enemy designs are noticeably more dynamic, frequently chaining together rapid attacks and forcing players to react on instinct rather than relying solely on memorized patterns. Boss fights emphasize mobility and precision, often requiring quick repositioning and split-second decision-making.
The kingdom of Pharloom also features a wealth of optional challenges, hidden encounters, and difficult side content that rewards dedicated exploration. Players who mastered Hollow Knight will quickly discover that Silksong raises the bar with faster pacing and more mechanically demanding combat.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Release Date: September 04, 2025
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Faster and more acrobatic combat than Hollow Knight.
- Challenging bosses that reward mastery of Hornet’s abilities.
- Large interconnected world filled with optional challenges.
- Excellent evolution of the original game’s mechanics.
FAQ – Hollow Knight: Silksong
Is Silksong harder than Hollow Knight?
Many players find its faster combat and more aggressive enemies even more demanding than the original.
Do you need to play Hollow Knight first?
No, but you’ll appreciate the gameplay improvements and references much more after finishing the original adventure.
The Hardest Roguelikes & Roguelites
Roguelikes and roguelites create difficulty in a very different way from Soulslikes or platformers.
Instead of memorizing a single level or boss, players must adapt to randomized environments, unpredictable item drops, and runs that can end in seconds after hours of progress.
Success comes from learning game systems, making smart decisions under pressure, and gradually improving with every failed attempt.
Returnal
Average Playtime: Around 22 hours
Rating: 86/100
Author recommendation
Returnal combines fast-paced third-person shooting with roguelite progression, creating one of the most intense action games of recent years. Every death resets most of your progress, forcing you to adapt to newly generated maps, different equipment, and fresh enemy layouts.
The game’s combat is built around constant movement. Standing still is almost always a mistake, as arenas quickly fill with projectiles inspired by bullet hell shooters. Dodging through attacks, maintaining momentum, and recognizing enemy patterns become essential survival skills.
Boss fights are spectacular multi-phase encounters that test every mechanic you’ve learned throughout a run. Combined with the uncertainty of roguelite progression, they create a challenge that remains exciting even after dozens of attempts.
Returnal
Release Date: February 15, 2023
Genres: Shooter
Why You Might Like It
- Excellent blend of roguelite progression and bullet hell combat.
- Fast, fluid movement rewards aggressive play.
- Memorable boss encounters with multiple phases.
- Every run feels different thanks to randomized progression.
FAQ – Returnal
Why is Returnal so difficult?
Every death resets most of your progress, while fast-paced combat leaves little room for mistakes.
Is Returnal a Soulslike?
No. It’s primarily a roguelite shooter, although it shares a similar philosophy of learning through repeated failure.
Dead Cells
Average Playtime: Around 15 hours (Main Completion), 70+ hours for higher Boss Cells
Rating: 89/100
Dead Cells blends the exploration of a metroidvania with the unpredictability of a roguelite. Every run offers different weapons, mutations, and routes, encouraging experimentation while demanding increasingly refined mechanical skills.
Combat is remarkably fluid. Players can specialize in brutal melee builds, ranged weapons, traps, or powerful survival-focused loadouts, but regardless of the approach, mistakes become increasingly costly as difficulty rises.
The real challenge begins after finishing the game once. Unlocking Boss Cells dramatically increases enemy aggression, introduces tougher foes, and eventually transforms Dead Cells into one of the hardest action roguelites on the market.
Dead Cells
Release Date: May 10, 2017
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Fast and satisfying combat.
- Huge variety of weapons and builds.
- Boss Cell system offers long-term progression.
- Outstanding replay value.
FAQ – Dead Cells
What are Boss Cells?
They’re additional difficulty levels that introduce stronger enemies, new mechanics, and much tougher runs.
Can casual players enjoy Dead Cells?
Yes. The early game is approachable, while higher Boss Cell levels provide the real challenge for experienced players.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth + Repentance
Average Playtime: Around 25 hours (Main Story), 500+ hours for full completion
Rating: 91/100
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is one of the most influential roguelites ever created. Every run generates a completely different combination of rooms, enemies, bosses, and items, making adaptability just as important as mechanical skill.
Repentance expands the game dramatically with additional characters, enemies, endings, and brutally difficult alternate paths. Completing every challenge requires mastering dozens of unique playstyles, many of which completely change how the game is approached.
While luck certainly influences each run, experienced players consistently succeed because they understand item synergies, enemy behavior, and risk management far better than newcomers.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Release Date: November 04, 2014
Genres: Shooter, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Indie, Arcade
Why You Might Like It
- Massive amount of replayable content.
- Thousands of possible item combinations.
- Repentance adds substantial endgame difficulty.
- One of the defining games of the roguelite genre.
FAQ – The Binding of Isaac
Is The Binding of Isaac difficult because of luck?
Luck plays a role, but long-term success depends much more on game knowledge and decision-making.
Does Repentance make the game harder?
Yes. It introduces new enemies, bosses, and alternate routes that significantly increase the overall challenge.
Spelunky 2
Average Playtime: Around 20 hours (Main Completion)
Rating: 91/100
Spelunky 2 has earned a reputation as one of the most unforgiving roguelikes ever made. Every level is procedurally generated, ensuring that players must constantly adapt rather than memorize layouts or enemy positions.
Almost every object in the game interacts with something else. A single mistake can trigger elaborate chain reactions involving traps, explosions, enemies, and environmental hazards that instantly end an otherwise perfect run.
The deeper you explore, the more demanding the game becomes. Secret areas, hidden endings, and optional routes introduce some of the hardest platforming and survival challenges in modern gaming.
Spelunky 2
Release Date: September 29, 2020
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Why You Might Like It
- Extremely deep emergent gameplay.
- Procedural generation keeps every run fresh.
- Brutally fair difficulty built around player skill.
- Outstanding replay value.
FAQ – Spelunky 2
Why is Spelunky 2 considered so difficult?
Its procedural levels, complex physics interactions, and permanent death punish every careless decision.
Can beginners enjoy Spelunky 2?
Yes, but expect to die frequently while learning the game’s many interconnected systems.
The Hardest RPGs
Role-playing games aren’t usually associated with lightning-fast reactions, but the titles in this category prove that strategic decision-making can be just as demanding as mechanical skill.
Building effective parties, managing limited resources, exploiting enemy weaknesses, and surviving lengthy battles all require careful planning.
A single poor decision can easily cost hours of progress.
XCOM 2
Average Playtime: Around 33 hours
Rating: 88/100
XCOM 2 remains one of the most demanding tactical strategy games ever created. Every mission forces players to balance risk and reward while dealing with limited resources, permanent soldier deaths, and a global resistance campaign that constantly threatens to spiral out of control.
Even seemingly favorable situations can collapse in seconds. A missed 95% shot, an unexpected enemy patrol, or poor positioning can wipe out an entire squad. Because experienced soldiers are invaluable, losing them has lasting consequences throughout the campaign.
Higher difficulties such as Commander and Legendary dramatically reduce the margin for error. Combined with Ironman mode, where every decision is permanent, XCOM 2 becomes one of gaming’s most stressful and rewarding tactical experiences.
XCOM 2
Release Date: February 04, 2016
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Why You Might Like It
- Deep turn-based tactical combat.
- Permanent consequences for mistakes.
- Excellent strategic campaign management.
- Legendary + Ironman is an unforgettable challenge.
FAQ – XCOM 2
Why is XCOM 2 considered so difficult?
Permanent soldier deaths, limited resources, and unpredictable missions constantly punish poor decisions.
What is Ironman mode?
Ironman disables manual saves, meaning every victory and every mistake permanently shapes your campaign.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Average Playtime: Around 45 hours
Rating: 89/100
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance rewards careful planning far more than raw character levels. Every battle revolves around the Press Turn system, where exploiting enemy weaknesses grants additional actions, while making poor decisions gives your opponents the same advantage.
Recruiting, fusing, and constantly upgrading demons is essential for survival. A party that dominates one area may become completely ineffective against the next boss, forcing players to continually adapt their strategy rather than relying on a single powerful team.
The toughest boss fights demand perfect preparation, optimized demon builds, and careful resource management. Even ordinary encounters can become deadly if players ignore enemy resistances or elemental weaknesses.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Release Date: June 14, 2024
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
Why You Might Like It
- One of the deepest turn-based combat systems available.
- Excellent demon fusion and customization.
- Bosses reward preparation rather than grinding.
- Outstanding challenge for RPG veterans.
FAQ – Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Why is Shin Megami Tensei V so difficult?
The Press Turn system heavily rewards exploiting weaknesses while severely punishing mistakes.
Can you grind to overcome difficult bosses?
Only to a point. Building the right team is usually more important than gaining additional levels.
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster
Average Playtime: Around 50 hours
Rating: 83/100
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster remains one of the most unforgiving JRPGs ever released. It rarely explains its systems in detail and expects players to understand elemental affinities, demon fusion, buffs, debuffs, and party composition through experimentation.
The infamous Press Turn system debuted here, rewarding strategic thinking while brutally punishing careless mistakes. Even common enemies can eliminate an unprepared party in just a few turns.
Legendary encounters such as Matador have become famous for teaching players that traditional JRPG habits simply won’t work. Preparation, planning, and intelligent party building are absolutely essential from beginning to end.
Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster
Release Date: May 25, 2021
Genres: RPG
Why You Might Like It
- A legendary challenge among turn-based RPGs.
- Excellent demon fusion system.
- Strategic combat with meaningful decisions.
- One of Atlus’ most influential games.
FAQ – Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne
Why is the Matador boss so famous?
It’s often the first major skill check, forcing players to properly understand buffs, debuffs, and elemental resistance.
Is Nocturne harder than Persona?
Yes. Most players consider it significantly less forgiving than the Persona series.
Monster Sanctuary
Average Playtime: Around 30 hours
Rating: 86/100
Monster Sanctuary may look approachable thanks to its colorful pixel art, but beneath its charming presentation lies one of the deepest team-building RPGs in recent years. Every monster has an extensive skill tree, and success depends on creating powerful synergies rather than simply choosing your favorites.
Later champion battles and Keeper duels require carefully optimized teams capable of generating buffs, debuffs, combo chains, and defensive support. Poor party composition quickly becomes the biggest obstacle.
The combination of metroidvania exploration and strategic combat creates a rewarding gameplay loop where discovering new monsters constantly opens additional tactical possibilities.
Monster Sanctuary
Release Date: December 08, 2020
Genres: Platform, Role-playing (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
Why You Might Like It
- Deep monster customization and team building.
- Strategic combat focused on synergy.
- Excellent blend of RPG and metroidvania exploration.
- Far more challenging than its visuals suggest.
FAQ – Monster Sanctuary
Is Monster Sanctuary difficult?
Yes. Later battles require carefully planned teams and strong understanding of combat mechanics.
Can you win with any monsters?
Almost any team is viable, provided it has strong synergy and is built around complementary abilities.
Fear & Hunger
Average Playtime: Around 15-20 hours
Rating: 86/100
Fear & Hunger is one of the most merciless RPGs ever created. Survival depends on managing hunger, infections, injuries, sanity, and scarce resources while exploring a horrifying dungeon where almost every encounter can end in permanent disaster.
Combat is intentionally unpredictable. Players often face impossible choices, including sacrificing limbs, risking permanent status effects, or attempting desperate escapes. The game rarely offers second chances, and experimentation frequently comes at a terrible cost.
Rather than relying on fast reflexes, Fear & Hunger creates tension through uncertainty. Every room, every decision, and every resource carries significant weight, making it one of the most psychologically demanding games on this list.
Why You Might Like It
- Extremely punishing survival RPG mechanics.
- Unique horror atmosphere.
- Meaningful consequences for every decision.
- One of the most uncompromising indie RPGs ever made.
FAQ – Fear & Hunger
Why is Fear & Hunger so unforgiving?
Nearly every system is designed to punish mistakes, including combat, exploration, injuries, and resource management.
Is Fear & Hunger more about horror or difficulty?
Both. Its relentless difficulty is a core part of the game’s oppressive horror atmosphere.
The Hardest Retro-Inspired Games
Long before terms like Soulslike or roguelite became popular, video games earned their reputation through relentless difficulty.
Limited lives, unforgiving checkpoints, and enemies that demanded near-perfect execution were standard design choices rather than optional challenge modes.
These modern titles embrace that old-school philosophy while refining it for today’s players.
Cuphead
Average Playtime: Around 11 hours
Rating: 88/100
Cuphead disguises one of the toughest action games of the last decade behind gorgeous 1930s-inspired animation. Every hand-drawn boss is a carefully designed puzzle that requires players to memorize attack patterns, react instantly, and maintain concentration throughout lengthy multi-phase encounters.
The controls themselves are simple, but surviving is anything but. Players must constantly dodge projectiles, perform perfectly timed parries, manage limited space, and identify safe openings to attack. Nearly every boss introduces entirely new mechanics, ensuring the challenge remains fresh throughout the adventure.
The optional Expert difficulty raises the stakes even further by speeding up encounters and making bosses considerably more aggressive. Completing every contract and DLC challenge demands exceptional consistency and mechanical skill.
Cuphead & The Delicious Last Course
Release Date: June 30, 2022
Genres: Platform
Why You Might Like It
- Outstanding hand-drawn animation and presentation.
- Creative multi-phase boss fights.
- Excellent balance between challenge and fairness.
- Expert Mode provides an even greater test of skill.
FAQ – Cuphead
Why is Cuphead so difficult?
Every boss introduces unique mechanics that require precise movement, quick reactions, and repeated practice to master.
Can you play Cuphead with a friend?
Yes. Local co-op makes many encounters more manageable while adding a fun cooperative element.
Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection
Average Playtime: Around 8 hours
Rating: 80/100
Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection faithfully revives one of gaming’s most legendary challenge series. Just like the arcade classics, players control Arthur through levels packed with relentless enemies, deadly traps, and bosses capable of ending a promising run within seconds.
Arthur can only withstand two hits before dying, with the first strike leaving him humorously fighting in nothing but his underwear. Limited weapon choices, unpredictable enemy spawns, and increasingly chaotic stages require careful positioning rather than reckless aggression.
To make matters even tougher, players seeking the true ending must complete the adventure twice, echoing one of the series’ most infamous traditions. Even modern accessibility options do little to hide the game’s uncompromising old-school design philosophy.
Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection
Release Date: June 01, 2021
Genres: Platform, Adventure
Why You Might Like It
- Classic arcade challenge updated for modern platforms.
- Demanding enemy patterns and memorable boss fights.
- Multiple difficulty options for different skill levels.
- A faithful continuation of one of gaming’s toughest franchises.
FAQ – Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection
Do you still have to finish the game twice?
Yes. Just like earlier entries, completing the first playthrough isn’t enough to see the true ending.
Is Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection harder than Cuphead?
Many players think so thanks to its limited health, relentless enemy placement, and classic arcade design.
Which hard games offer the biggest challenge?
| Game | Genre | Biggest Challenge | Average Playtime | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lies of P | Soulslike | Perfect Guards | Around 30h | 82/100 |
| Sekiro | Soulslike | Deflection System | Around 30h | 90/100 |
| Dark Souls Remastered | Soulslike | World Exploration | Around 43h | 84/100 |
| Elden Ring + DLC | Soulslike | Late-game Bosses | 95+ h | 96/100 |
| Dark Souls III | Soulslike | The Ringed City | 55+ h | 89/100 |
| Nioh 2 | Soulslike | Combat Complexity | 55h | 85/100 |
| Devil May Cry 5 | Action | Dante Must Die | 11h | 89/100 |
| NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black | Action | Enemy Aggression | 15h | 85/100 |
| Sifu | Action | Aging System | 12h | 81/100 |
| Furi | Action | Boss Rush | 6-8h | 81/100 |
| Super Meat Boy | Platformer | Precision | 10h | 90/100 |
| Geometry Dash | Platformer | Extreme Demons | Endless | 87/100 |
| Jump King | Platformer | Loss of Progress | 8-12h | 82/100 |
| Celeste | Platformer | Farewell Chapter | 8h | 92/100 |
| Getting Over It | Platformer | Physics | 6h | 84/100 |
| Battletoads (2020) | Platformer / Beat ’em Up | Hard Difficulty | 6h | 72/100 |
| I Wanna Be The Guy | Platformer | Hidden Traps | 15-25h | N/A |
| Hollow Knight | Metroidvania | Pantheon | 27h | 90/100 |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | Metroidvania | Bosses | 30-35h | 91/100 |
| Returnal | Roguelite | Bullet Hell Combat | 22h | 86/100 |
| Dead Cells | Roguelite | Boss Cells | 70+h | 89/100 |
| The Binding of Isaac | Roguelite | 100% Completion | 500+h | 91/100 |
| Spelunky 2 | Roguelike | Procedural Runs | 20h | 91/100 |
| XCOM 2 | Strategy | Legendary Ironman | 33h | 88/100 |
| SMT V: Vengeance | JRPG | Press Turn | 45h | 89/100 |
| SMT III Nocturne | JRPG | Bosses | 50h | 83/100 |
| Monster Sanctuary | Monster RPG | Team Building | 30h | 86/100 |
| Fear & Hunger | RPG Horror | Survival Systems | 15-20h | 86/100 |
| Cuphead | Run & Gun | Boss Fights | 11h | 88/100 |
| Ghosts ‘n Goblins Resurrection | Arcade Platformer | Old-school Design | 8h | 80/100 |
Final Thoughts
Difficulty has evolved dramatically over the decades.
Early arcade games challenged players with limited lives and punishing checkpoints, while modern titles tend to reward mastery through deep combat systems, strategic decision-making, and increasingly complex mechanics. Although these games approach challenge in different ways, they all share one thing in common: every victory feels genuinely earned.
Whether you’re looking to master a Soulslike, survive a roguelite, conquer a precision platformer, or overcome a brutally difficult RPG, the games on this list represent some of the greatest tests of skill available today. Pick the genre that appeals to you most, embrace failure as part of the learning process, and enjoy one of gaming’s most satisfying experiences.