Games That Are Harder Than They Need To Be

80s and 90s gaming enthusiasts understand the true meaning of difficulty when it comes to video games. The NES was home to tough titles like Battletoads and Ninja Gaiden, and even fan-favorites such as Super Mario Bros. were demanding. Despite their difficulty, these games weren’t enjoyed back then, but today, hardcore gamers cherish them deeply.

Various strategies exist for game developers to create challenging experiences, such as through adjustable difficulty levels. However, some games feature inherent mechanics that present immediate challenges and cannot be altered by players. In this discussion, we’ll examine several notoriously difficult games and analyze the elements within them that might seem excessively tough. It’s essential to clarify that these games aren’t inherently flawed; instead, they require a certain level of adaptation from players due to their high degree of difficulty.

Demon’s Souls

Goodbye, Progress

In “Demon’s Souls,” the concept of difficult video games found a new lease of life; it was the initial game from FromSoftware that sparked the creation of the term ‘Soulslikes.’ There are numerous factors that make these games tough, but the most frustrating feature is the one where you lose your progress whenever you die.

In this game, overcoming adversaries rewards players with Souls, a resource they can use to boost their rank or purchase items. If a player dies, they have the option to return to reclaim their Souls; however, if they die again during the journey back, those Souls are permanently forfeited. Losing precious progress after spending hours grinding can be disheartening, but some players find the thrill of this risk-reward challenge exhilarating. The 2020 remake also introduced features to make it a bit easier to handle.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

My Bug Kingdom For A Checkpoint

As a devoted fan, I’ve gotta say that Hollow Knight wasn’t a walk in the park, but the buzz surrounding its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, has been all about the significant jump in difficulty. A major complaint among players is the challenging approach to the bosses themselves, who are already tough cookies, yet become even more grueling due to the tricky paths leading back to them.

The Beastfly Savage and Last Judge are two particularly challenging bosses in the game. However, these encounters pale in comparison to the trials players must endure between save points, which can feel like an additional hardship. Some might argue that including checkpoints would make things less taxing, but others may appreciate the challenge as it stands.

Death Stranding

Do Boots Really Wear Out That Fast?

In his debut project following his departure from Konami, Hideo Kojima introduced Death Stranding, which is substantially more challenging than any of the Metal Gear series. The story revolves around Sam, the main character, who’s tasked with delivering supplies to isolated communities in a post-apocalyptic America. Despite being a delivery game at heart, it features an intricate blend of mechanics that add depth to the gameplay experience.

In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, characters must move cautiously to avoid falling and potentially damaging packages or upsetting baby BB who is Sam’s companion. Additionally, there are malevolent forces that can pursue players without an escape route. These aspects have been streamlined from the difficulties encountered in the initial game, showing Kojima’s willingness to learn from player feedback.

Cuphead

Gorgeous But Devious

Cuphead, renowned for being one of the finest hand-drawn games ever created, is also notoriously difficult. Apart from certain stages, most levels are primarily designed around lengthy, complex boss battles that can consume a significant amount of time. The barrage of projectiles from these bosses makes them tricky to navigate, but what truly tests players’ patience is the absence of checkpoints. Although the game does offer an “easier” option called Simple Mode, defeating a boss in this mode doesn’t contribute to the main storyline’s advancement. Essentially, it might as well not exist, and it seems unnecessary that it had to be designed this way.

Monster Hunter: World

Time Out

In the game Monster Hunter: World, some aspects might present challenges for players, despite it incorporating numerous life-enhancing features compared to previous versions. For instance, you can team up with three other players online to embark on thrilling hunts for colossal beasts, which will provide crafting materials upon successful capture or defeat.

In many Monster Hunter games, each hunt is subjected to time limits and a specific number of deaths per group, regardless if the monster is about to be defeated or there are still three allies alive. The game’s timer, the possibility of failure due to someone else’s actions, and the absence of an enemy health bar make Monster Hunter one of the most challenging series for newcomers to grasp.

XCOM: Enemy Within

Fight Aliens, Lose Allies

Enemy Within includes a challenging feature known as permadeath. This means that once your character is defeated in the game, they are permanently gone. The game revolves around the XCOM team, who are fighting off an alien invasion. Players can create and manage their own characters in combat situations, improving them between missions.

If a teammate gets killed in combat, that’s game over for them. While there are techniques to reload before dying, these methods can be quite cumbersome. Just like in Soulslike games, it can be frustrating to lose all the progress made after spending countless hours developing your character.

Jak 2

A Wild Leap In Difficulty

The second installment of “Jak 2,” in contrast, moved too far away from the original’s inviting nature as a 3D platformer. Although it was sometimes challenging, the initial game, “Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy,” was quite approachable. However, its sequel elevated the difficulty significantly by incorporating guns and a mission structure similar to Grand Theft Auto.

In this game, there are numerous tasks that require specific timing or unusual prerequisites, making completion challenging. While it’s an engaging, sophisticated title that logically continues from the first game, the sudden increase in difficulty can be quite jarring.

Breath Of Fire: Dragon Quarter

Countdown To Doom

In “Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter,” we find ourselves playing the fifth installment in the series, marking the series’ shift from fantasy to science fiction on the PlayStation 2. While the new setting, gameplay mechanics, and art style have much to offer and are generally well-received, players may notice a significant increase in difficulty compared to previous versions of the game.

In every action taken by the players, whether it’s engaging in battles or simply moving around, increases a timer. Once this timer reaches 100%, the game ends. Regrettably, the only effective method to manage this timer was to begin anew, but fortunately, progress from previous attempts is preserved. This feels like playing a loop-based game, as players must advance as far as possible before being forced to start from scratch, repeatedly.

2025-09-12 19:08