In recent years, the concept of challenge in video games has become synonymous with the influence of Soulsborne games. Renowned for their punishing difficulty, titles from FromSoftware have inspired numerous developers to create games within the Soulslike genre, characterized by formidable challenges that test players’ skills to the utmost.
However, it is essential to recognize that not every challenging game fits neatly into this category. Several titles, both before and after the rise of Soulslike games, have offered their own brand of demanding gameplay. It’s time to shine a light on these notable adventures that bring the heat, even without the hallmark traits of the Soulslike genre.
10 Dragon’s Dogma
A Merciless Open-World
Playing Dragon’s Dogma for the first time, I was struck by its unique blend of Dark Souls level difficulty and the “freedom” of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. From the outset, this Capcom title presented an unrelenting challenge, requiring players to confront formidable obstacles without any easy solutions.
Initial playthroughs were intensely demanding—success came only after repeated efforts and learning from failures. While there comes a point where your character becomes powerful enough to handle threats with ease, the journey to reach that strength is filled with enough challenges to last a lifetime.
9 The Talos Principle 2
Puzzles at Maximum Complexity
The Talos Principle 2 is a brain-teasing puzzle game that takes mental challenges to the extreme. While its learning curve is well-structured and intuitive, I encountered numerous puzzles that befuddled me for hours.
Fortunately, players have the option to skip non-essential challenges. However, driven by a desire to solve every puzzle, I often found myself immersed in these complex tasks without shortcuts, showcasing just how demanding it really is.
8 Tunic
An Adventure to Get Lost In
While influenced by the Soulsborne genre, Tunic offers a unique perspective on spatial awareness and gameplay mechanics. Aside from one particular boss, the real challenge lies in the game’s minimal guidance, presented in an indecipherable language crafted from clues and player inference.
Understanding the path to progression and objectives is what truly tests players, compounded by encounters with enemies that only heighten the difficulty. Even after completing it, I believe a second attempt would still prove time-consuming, as the game demands a level of connection that few others do.
7 Darkest Dungeon
Unimaginable Horrors
Darkest Dungeon stands out as one of the cruelest indie games ever created. Undeniably recognized as one of the best permadeath strategy games, its brutal difficulty has often led to moments of frustration.
However, the immense satisfaction from overcoming its challenges is unparalleled, akin to the struggle of climbing a mountain. Balancing stress, character management, and financial challenges is overwhelming. While players can adjust difficulty settings, experiencing the game as intended provides the most rewarding experience.
6 Cuphead
Run, Gun and Cry
While I hesitate to compare Cuphead directly to FromSoftware’s titles, my death count certainly suggests a high level of difficulty. Many bosses have necessitated hundreds of retries, with notorious challenges like Dr. Kahl’s Robot and Beppi the Clown being among the toughest I’ve faced.
With the addition of the DLC featuring even more demanding battles and platforming sections, Cuphead’s complexity has significantly escalated. Hailed as one of the best indie games ever, its difficulty is a standout hallmark across gaming history.
5 Fear & Hunger
You Won’t Come Out Unscathed
Fear & Hunger delivers an unyielding experience laced with moral dilemmas and demanding gameplay. The sheer mercilessness of this title is staggering; even reaching the first ending took me dozens of hours.
Whether due to the inability to make the necessary decisions for survival or simply a misunderstanding of its rules, my journeys often ended prematurely, forcing me to restart.The world’s cruelty compels players to make heart-wrenching decisions, often leading to their inevitable ruin.
4 Sifu
A Game That Demands Perfection
Sifu is among the most challenging games that require players to learn through countless deaths. Its gameplay demands an unparalleled level of mastery, transforming players into martial arts experts simply to witness the game’s conclusion.
The speed and variety of boss fights, combined with complex combat mechanics, require significant time and patience to master. But once you find your rhythm, the feeling of control and satisfaction is immense, yet few achieve such a level of mastery.
3 Against 4
A Hellish Difficulty
In considering the Contra series, I opted for Contra 4 as it represents my most recent and vivid memory of the franchise, a title where every moment felt like an agonizing trek through Hell.
The course of the game features swift projectiles, minimal lives, and intimidating boss encounters, leading to an experience where progress feels like a constant struggle for survival. At times, the difficulty crosses a line into frustration, overshadowing the enjoyment.
2 Ninja Gaiden 2
Anything But Fair
Of the many franchise entries, I chose Ninja Gaiden 2 because it encapsulates the feeling of being utterly thwarted in a video game. The tension stemming from a single mistake leading to death is palpable and creates a unique game-playing experience.
As series director Tomonobu Itagaki famously articulated, the enemies in Ninja Gaiden 2 are designed to kill you. His statement speaks volumes about the daunting difficulty of this classic.
1 Celeste
Dying is Part of the Climb
Despite being a game that turns failure into enjoyment, Celeste is perhaps the most demanding masterpiece I have ever played. The initial seven chapters present challenges worth discussing, with some of the most intricate platforming sections ever designed.
When factoring in optional content and alternate chapters that extend gameplay, it is evident that no other game matches its requirement for skill and precision. The level of focus and timing needed to progress through its obstacles is truly unprecedented.
Experiencing the sensation of failing thousands of times in a single segment adds to the game’s legacy, making Celeste an epitome of difficulty outside the Soulslike genre. This game serves as a profound lesson in discipline and control.
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