10 Brutal Games That Were Too Hard (& Got Nerfed)

The level of challenge in video games tends to go through cycles. Initially, in the era of arcade machines and joysticks, games were extremely tough, and high scores served as symbols of pride. Over the years, though, players started preferring less demanding, calmer experiences where skill wasn’t a major barrier to accessing content.

Consequently, as a result of playing games such as those from the Soulsborne series by FromSoft, players developed a dislike for the yellow markings on cliff edges and lengthy tutorials, yearning instead for a more challenging gaming experience.

Even though gamers may prepare for a challenging gaming experience, at times it can get excessively difficult, making it seemingly unfair, aggravating, and unpleasant to play. In such situations, the game’s creator often intervenes.

These games have adjusted and refined their fundamental gameplay through various fixes and improvements, preserving their challenging nature while simultaneously making the overall gameplay less difficult. If you’re up for tackling the merciless early versions (Version 1.0), these unaltered games represented a true horror.

10. The Callisto Protocol

Breaching Protocol

Although I might struggle to make a compelling case that The Callisto Protocol is an outstanding horror game, it does provide a decent replication of the horror elements that Dead Space enthusiasts appreciate. It may not be as refined, but it certainly satisfies the same craving for terror.

Today, the game is far less frustrating to play compared to when it first launched, as it was initially quite challenging to get through.

The fight sequences in this game demanded precise deflections, boasted tough opponents who dealt significant blows, offered numerous opportunities for unwarranted injury, and included extremely challenging checkpoints that compelled you to replay frustrating segments until your patience ran out, leading you to abandon the game permanently.

Fortunately, the game has been significantly improved to offer a more evenly-balanced survival horror experience, making it worth giving a try. However, keep in mind that it might not reach the same heights as Dead Space, but there’s still plenty of enjoyable gameplay to be had.

9. Dead Cells

Dead Hard

For quite a while now, Dead Cells has consistently provided a well-balanced gaming experience for its fans, thanks to regular updates, additional content like DLC, and new features designed to keep things engaging. However, when the game was first released, it did encounter a few initial glitches that needed smoothing out.

Previously, bosses were more challenging, dealing greater damage and leaving less room for mistakes. Additionally, the game provided far fewer chances to heal or obtain beneficial items compared to its current state.

Heed this, however. This game remains one of the most challenging independent titles available, and the DLC solidifies its tough reputation by presenting an abundance of formidable challenges. Yet, it’s renowned as indie royalty for good reason, making it a struggle worth enduring.

8. Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order

A Disturbance In The Force

Although Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order positions itself as challenging like games from the Souls series and Metroidvania genre, it falls significantly short when compared to the difficulty level found in those specific genres.

Initially, this game was almost unmatched in terms of difficulty across various categories, yet for all the unfavorable reasons.

In simpler terms, the game Jedi Fallen Order had unexpectedly challenging sections, even when playing on easier modes. These parts felt excessively difficult and annoying, not because the players lacked skills, but because of issues with the game’s design.

Initially, the game was a bit too tough for my liking, with enemies relentlessly trying to take me down. However, after some updates, I found the difficulty settings more manageable and balanced – even on normal mode, they weren’t as ruthless. But if you opted for hard mode, well, you knew what you were getting into, so no complaints!

7. Returnal

Bullet Hell With Breaks

As a gamer diving into Housemarque’s bullet-hell roguelike, I wasn’t expecting much in terms of major gameplay overhauls or difficulty adjustments. But what they did add was a single, yet game-changing feature that made the entire experience more inviting and less nerve-wracking.

After the game’s release, developers implemented a ‘save game’ function, enabling players to save their progress periodically instead of having to endure prolonged gaming stretches merely to reach challenging milestones during gameplay.

In the revised version of the game, Returnal, the challenges remain equally tough, and you won’t be able to reverse any deaths that happen. However, this update enables players to engage with the game more flexibly, taking shorter sessions as desired. This seemingly minor adjustment might seem like a significant discovery for those who experienced the game in its initial form.

6. Nioh 2

A Smoother Experience

Given the triumph of the latest Souls-like game, The First Berserker: Khaszan, it becomes even more crucial to recall the pioneering series that combined Diablo-style looting with Souls-like combat, which is none other than Nioh.

In comparison to the first installment, the sequel stands out as significantly improved across nearly all aspects. However, at launch, certain boss battles displayed an imbalance, leading to sections of gameplay that deviated from the consistent level of challenge the game usually presented.

In recent game updates, numerous foe mobs have been significantly reduced in threat level, along with key bosses like Saika Magoichi, Shibata Katsuie, among others, becoming less formidable.

As a gamer, I believe that challenging doesn’t always equate to better. Instead, it creates a more balanced and satisfying gaming journey. In this instance, I must applaud the developers for finessing an already captivating Souls-like adventure, making it even more delightful to play.

5. Blasphemous

2D Souls Suffering

When someone asks about diving into the Blasphemous series, I usually advise that it might be more enjoyable to start with Blasphemous 2 because it follows the style of a Metroidvania game with some elements of Souls-lite. On the other hand, the original Blasphemous is a tougher, more challenging 2D Souls-like experience.

The statement remains accurate today, but it was particularly valid when the game initially came out because it was significantly harder back then compared to its current difficulty level.

Currently, the game features significantly reduced knockback intensity, offers numerous invincibility frames (I-frames) for tactical maneuvers, and presents more chances to conserve resources, thus decreasing frequent loss of resources.

Today’s version might seem easier compared to earlier times, as the bosses are less formidable, their toughness not quite matching nails or spikes that can still end your game in an instant.

4. Tunic

Looks Can Be Deceiving

At first glance, Tunic might appear to be a delightful, Zelda-like game. However, don’t let its adorable exterior fool you – beneath the surface, it transforms into a demanding and tough Souls-style game.

For many fans expecting a comfortable journey, this game came as an unexpected jolt, causing some players to abandon it altogether or find it tough to overcome even the simplest challenges posed by the game’s boss battles.

Fortunately, unlike FromSoftware, the developer chose not to maintain a single level of difficulty for everyone. Instead, they incorporated extensive accessibility options, enabling players to activate a ‘God Mode’ if desired, transforming a challenging game into a more casual, puzzle-focused experience.

Regardless of your selection, Tunic remains an enjoyable experience. However, its reputation as one of the most challenging games, masking its difficulty, would have been even more significant if it weren’t for the accessibility features included.

3. Elden Ring

Put Those Foolish Ambitions To Rest

In the family of creators known as FromSoft, Elden Ring is inherently challenging. When it was initially released with a wave of praise, certain sections within the game appeared excessively difficult for no apparent reason. Over time, it seems that the developers recognized this issue, and in later updates, they’ve addressed these areas where difficulty seemed unnecessary.

The challenging battles against harsh supervisors such as Margit the Fell Omen, Starscourge Radahn, Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and others have undergone substantial adjustments to ensure a more balanced confrontation.

Moreover, with the additional building options from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, you now have access to an expanded arsenal for defeating the toughest and most formidable foes in The Lands Between.

Although it’s not a stroll by any means, with these modifications, I consider Elden Ring to be the most approachable Soulsborne game yet – an excellent starting point for those intrigued by gaming.

2. Sifu

Black Belt Difficulty

In terms of games outside the Soulsborne series, it’s rare to find ones that stick with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ difficulty level. Prior to updates altering this aspect, Sifu was a game that actively adopted this design philosophy.

Playing this game was extremely challenging from the start, requiring a high level of expertise just to progress through the early levels. Moreover, because the game follows a roguelike format, many players found themselves exhausted long before reaching the end, as the skill required to excel was simply too steep.

A new, less challenging game mode was introduced later, accompanied by adjustable settings for different game features. Additionally, the game now includes practice rooms and permanent rewards to eliminate the necessity of repeated playthroughs for leveling up. Essentially, the game has taken on a more rogue-like style, as dying in the game can now lead to increased strength compared to earlier versions.

As a gamer, I’ve found that mastering this game, Sifu, takes a heap of practice, a knack for kung-fu, and a keen sense of my enemies – because every fight could be my last. But compared to the old days, Sifu is more accessible for newcomers like me now.

1. Lies of P

The ‘P’ Stands For Punishing

To conclude, I had the opportunity (and challenge) to test a game prior to its release – Lies of P. In the early stages following its launch, it was an incredibly difficult experience due to bosses delivering punches as hard as trucks, weapons deteriorating rapidly, and the game being excessively demanding in terms of grinding, even for a Souls-like title.

Instead, the problems were effectively addressed by fine-tuning the game’s balance, focusing specifically on notable characters such as Romeo and Simon Manus. Additionally, there were enhancements made in terms of weapon enhancements and boosts provided for summons and P-Organ capabilities.

The challenges were successfully dealt with by making necessary adjustments to the game’s balance, placing extra focus on characters like Romeo and Simon Manus. Furthermore, improvements were made in weapon upgrades and enhancements were added to summons and P-Organ abilities.

Initially, playing this game felt like an endless struggle that made me repeatedly bang my head against a wall. But after the updates, it transformed into a more balanced challenge. Although I won’t return to it, I can see why these improvements have greatly improved the game based on how often I expressed frustration.

2025-04-04 16:40