10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

As someone who’s been around the gaming block a few times, I can tell you that these games are indeed some of the toughest to start with. They each have their own unique ways of throwing you into the deep end without so much as a life preserver.


Game difficulty has been a topic of discussion for quite some time now, with some developers taking pleasure in challenging players right from the start.

Discussing are the types of games with a greeting like “welcome, ready to perish,” which you’ve likely encountered in your gaming journey. Occasionally, these games reach greatness, while at other times, they serve as a platform for developers to revel in your hardships.

Whatever the reason, here are ten games that will obliterate you right from the off.

10 Nier Automata

You Can’t Save Yourself

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

In Nier Automata, you embark on an extraordinary adventure through a post-apocalyptic Earth, where you aim to bring an end to the relentless conflict between alien invaders and humanity.

Initially, the story seems simple but soon becomes intricate with numerous unexpected developments, culminating in an exceptional tale that stands out among gaming narratives.

You might not reach that stage because the initial level of the game is particularly challenging.

In this scenario, the mission charges you with battling some extraterrestrial beings in a frenzy of bullets while you’re piloting a mechanical suit. Subsequently, it places you on solid ground, where the objective remains the same – keep fighting aliens until you face a colossal boss.

This entire section lasts around 40 minutes, and if it’s your first time playing, you likely won’t have all of the controls figured out.

Even if you do, though, one brutal feature of the opening makes it so frustrating to get through.

As a gamer, I found myself thrown into this thrilling adventure without the luxury of saving my progress. Nope, not even once! It wasn’t until after the opening sequence that the save option was unlocked. This stylistic choice, while making sense within the game’s context, certainly added an extra layer of tension as I navigated through the game, aware that every move could potentially be my last, with no checkpoints to catch me if I fell.

Save yourself the trouble, put it on easy mode, and switch out once you unlock saving.

9 Dark Souls

You Died

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

In simpler terms, over the last two decades, the game known as Dark Souls has left a significant impact on the gaming world. This is largely due to its unique challenge level that gamers found incredibly addictive.

The game’s challenging nature becomes evident right from the start, since it places you within an asylum setting, subsequently immersing you into the unforgiving universe that defines Dark Souls.

In this game, the initial boss isn’t intended for battle, but rather, it’s more advisable to quickly run by, given your current lack of resources to tackle such a formidable task.

After overcoming it initially, gathering some defensive equipment like weapons and armor becomes essential for engaging in a genuine battle. However, this preparation doesn’t offer much comfort since this formidable foe can obliterate you with just one careless move.

Absolutely, what you’re about to experience beyond this tutorial isn’t a walk in the park. The authentic starting level of Undead Burg is designed to test your mettle, as it will unleash enemies from hidden corners, hurl bombs at you, have archers lurking everywhere, and present a gloomy scene of despair wherever you gaze.

Dark Souls is a great game, but it’s going to make you hate it before you love it.

8 Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon

Mech Souls

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

In Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, you’re plunged straight into the heat of things, and the initial region serves as a formidable challenge to determine if you possess the skills needed to endure the severe conditions of this world.

Straight away, it becomes evident that healing resources are scarce and you will likely find yourself significantly outmatched in most encounters you face.

In simpler terms, you can’t adjust your air conditioner to your preferred settings completely, which means you’re stuck using a predetermined setup that you need to adapt to as best as possible.

The mission is straightforward, but it can grind you down in a hurry, and it all culminates with the brutal, HC Helicopter fight.

Engaging in this battle serves as a harsh foretaste of what lies ahead in this game. Without some kind of guidance to crack the code, you might find yourself repeatedly hitting your head against the same wall.

Initially, the scale of the battle might seem overwhelming, and the intense barrage of bullets, reminiscent of a bullet hell, will relentlessly challenge you, causing headaches, depleting your repair kits quickly, and demanding quick reflexes that may feel crucial to your survival even before you fully master the controls.

Indeed, as you progress through the game, it becomes increasingly challenging – one of the toughest introductions found within From Software’s collection of games.

7 Lies of P

The Terrible Price of Lying

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

In the opening moments of “Lies of P“, it’s evident that the game leaves a lasting impression thanks to its captivating visuals, an intriguing environment to delve into, and exhilarating combat. However, what truly sets it apart is the unrelenting challenge presented right from the start.

Stepping out of the coach, the world immediately reveals itself as perilous, with puppets running amok everywhere. You’re still quite distant from the formidable power you’ll eventually wield.

Mastering the right moment for parrying in Lies of P involves a lot of experimentation, and often, even towards the end of the game, one may still find themselves making educated guesses about the optimal time for defending or parrying.

Initially, it’s quite merciless. I found myself grappling with even the simplest of foes at the outset, but the true challenge reared its head when I encountered the first boss.

The Parade Master is an overwhelming spectacle that may leave you unprepared. From his devastating assaults, incomprehensible shouts, to his incessant motion, there are some substantial challenges you’ll encounter.

In the beginning, you won’t be able to increase your stats prematurely. This means you’ll be confined to your initial stats represented by ‘P’. You’ll need to progress through the starting zone and get to Hotel Krat before you can make any changes.

Initially, the game’s demo was too challenging for players, prompting adjustments to numerous bosses within the game, akin to treading cautiously through treacherous city streets.

6 Dragon’s Dogma

No Training Wheels Here

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

The distinctive game titled “Dragon’s Dogma” has earned its reputation as a cult favorite due in part to the extreme violence it presents at the outset.

As a fan, I found the tutorial phase remarkably straightforward since my character seemed excessively powerful. However, when I was transported to the current era, things took a challenging turn – it became quite a struggle!

Entering the wilderness, you’ll find yourself pursued by goblins and wolves right away, making it clear that you may not be prepared for the challenges ahead.

At the outset of the game, you don’t have a lot of hit points or resilience, and your ally pawn isn’t very effective either. Additionally, the enemies you face throughout the game don’t have a traditional leveling system, meaning the strength and health of the early opponents are similar to those encountered late in the game.

In the beginning, you’ll likely meet your demise multiple times, and resuscitating your character will become quite frequent. However, as you advance, it gives a sense of progression.

5 Baldur’s Gate 3

This World Is Not Kind

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

2023 saw the sensation of Baldur’s Gate 3, captivating even those unfamiliar with CRPGs or DND.

This was great, but it also included a massive learning curve.

Immediately after a shipwreck leaves you stranded in an unfamiliar place, expect a challenging and difficult experience ahead.

Even though there are clear guidelines, exploring freely may feel overwhelming, and for individuals who enjoy observing their new environment, you could potentially encounter several problems.

Entering the church, you’ll be in for a tough time. Contemplating passing up on Gale initially? Prepare for difficulty against any ranged enemies.

Additionally, your supply of healing items is dangerously scant, which means that following any battles you manage to survive, you may not have the means to recover. Furthermore, if a party member falls in combat, they might be out of action for an extended period until you establish camp and can bring them back.

The lesson it imparts is caution at the start, a guidance hard for some to follow. Instead, their yearning for a bold expedition often results in untimely demise more frequently than not.

4 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

You Suck At Swordplay

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers a distinctive gaming experience, seamlessly blending survival mechanics with role-playing game dynamics, resulting in something remarkably different from other games.

Initially, it’s quite a tough ordeal due to your lack of skill in battles. This difficulty arises from your inexperience with combat.

To put it frankly, I wouldn’t say you personally lack skill, but when it comes to Henry’s swordsmanship, it seems quite lacking. He appears clueless about the proper techniques, and unfortunately, so does it seem for me as well.

Initially, you’ll find yourself learning essential skills from a Quartermaster, however, at the start, you’ll likely struggle against anything you encounter in combat.

In a one-on-one combat scenario, the battles will be extremely challenging, demanding not just perfect timing but also pushing you to the edge of fear every time an outlaw or any other adversary attempts to engage in a physical confrontation with you.

If you muster the bravery to confront several individuals simultaneously, remember that it might not go well for you. In all honesty, your chances of success are slim, unless you happen to possess an ample supply of arguments or ideas, which could be likened to arrows in this context. In any case, you’re likely to falter quickly.

What stands out most about this game is its development, as by the finale, you’ll be mowing down opponents, excelling at individual duels, regardless of the adversary, and leaving no doubt that you’re a skilled swordsman – a fact well-recognized by all within the game world.

3 Unicorn Overlord

Being a General Is Not Easy

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

The game titled “Unicorn Overlord” harks back to the Ogre Battle series, and from the get-go, it’s clear that it means business. As you embark on this adventure, you’ll be immediately immersed in the world, with a mission to expand your forces to avenge your slain mother.

To begin, you’ll find that this force starts off as relatively inexperienced and modest. Immediately, you’ll be expected to master the intricate details of the chess opening strategy known as the gambit system, which is unique to this game. Neglecting to understand it could lead to wasting a significant amount of time.

The toughest part of the early going is learning how to set up your troops in the game.

Instead of launching an all-out attack at once, it’s wiser to consider staggered deployments. Sending troops one after another prevents exhaustion, ensuring you always have forces ready to safeguard your stronghold. This strategy typically results in fewer losses during battles.

In this game, developed by Vanillaware, you’ll need to grasp a style that was once forgotten in order to thrive. This outstanding game won’t be easy, but the experience is certainly worthwhile!

2 Returnal

Your Loop Is Pain

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

In essence, Returnal revolves around the concept of repeating cycles. With each repetition, you become slightly more powerful, your equipment improves, and you’re gradually more ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

At the outset of this game, it feels like a harsh wake-up call. Initially, your weapons seem weak, you lack special skills, and it’s unclear what your objectives are or how to proceed effectively.

In every direction, there are adversaries waiting to attack either at a distance or at close range, and there seems to be no safe haven with checkpoints wherever you turn.

This region is intricately complex, offering scant straightforward paths to reach your desired destination.

Regardless of how well you handle the initial hurdles, the first formidable opponent will most likely overwhelm you. Unless you possess extraordinary skills or are exceptionally talented, it’s highly improbable that you’ll make it through that battle unscathed.

The opening is tough, yet it eventually leads to an enjoyable experience that leaves you pondering if you possess the determination to persevere from the outset.

1 Ninja Gaiden

You’re Expected to be Great

10 Games With Insanely Difficult First Levels

In numerous aspects, Ninja Gaiden can be considered as a pioneer for the “Souls-like” video game genre. While sharing many characteristics, it leans more towards the action-oriented aspects in its gameplay.

In the initial installment of the revamped series, it promptly delivers a challenging experience with no regrets or second thoughts.

In the initial stage itself, you’ll find yourself struggling with control, as ninjas swiftly dismantle you, and this is just the beginning; the first adversary the game has in store for you.

I trust you’ll appreciate the ending screen, as it will serve as a reliable companion during the initial stages of this game.

The series gained recognition through its challenging nature, however, later installments provide additional resources to engage with.

In the initial game, it’s just you and your sword for company. May fortune be on your side. If you manage to progress without much harm, beware! Master Murai lies ahead as the first boss, and he serves as a harsh prelude to what’s to come in the rest of the game. Brace yourselves; it’s going to be a turbulent journey.

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2024-11-28 18:39