The holidays are just around the corner, and video games make great gifts! But finding the perfect game for serious gamers can be tough – they need something truly engaging and challenging, not just the typical present.
This TopMob guide features great gift ideas for serious gamers. We’ve included some of the most difficult and rewarding games available, perfect for those who love a real challenge.
Do check out TopMob’s Holiday 2025 hub for the best deals on games, hardware, and more.
Elden Ring
Let’s begin with Elden Ring, widely considered the best game of 2022. FromSoftware brilliantly combined their signature challenging combat with a huge, open world to create something truly special. And with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, players can enjoy even more content, including new areas to explore, powerful bosses to defeat, and a variety of new weapons.
Buy Elden Ring
Bloodborne
Bloodborne is a challenging game designed for fans of difficult, action-RPG titles. It’s only available on PlayStation 4, meaning players on other systems can’t experience it. Even on the PlayStation 5, it won’t benefit from updated graphics or performance. Despite these limitations, dedicated gamers will find it incredibly rewarding.
Cuphead
Cuphead is a challenging run-and-gun game centered around platforming and tough boss fights. It’s visually and audibly inspired by the classic cartoons of the 1930s, using hand-drawn animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz music to recreate that era’s feel. While it’s a difficult game, players can team up with a friend in local co-op for help.
Sifu
Sifu is a fighting game featuring detailed, kung-fu inspired combat. A unique feature is that your character ages every time they die, gaining experience but also becoming physically weaker over time. Players embark on a revenge story with no allies, facing numerous enemies in diverse locations, and relying on a special amulet for temporary salvation.
Super Meat Boy
Super Meat Boy is a great gift for gamers who love a challenge. It’s a notoriously difficult game, reminiscent of classic, hard-to-beat titles like Mega Man 2 and the original Super Mario Bros. 2. With over 300 levels spread across five chapters and some tough boss battles, it offers hours of gameplay.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hollow Knight: Silksong is a fantastic new game, especially for players who enjoy challenging experiences. It’s a ‘metroidvania’ style game – meaning it focuses on exploration and unlocking new areas – with tough, fast-paced combat. You’ll face over 200 dangerous creatures and more than 40 epic bosses. For those seeking the ultimate test, a ‘Steel Soul’ mode provides an even harder difficulty.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
If you’re familiar with challenging action games, you’ve probably heard of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. For those who haven’t played it, it’s an excellent choice for experienced gamers. Winner of Game of the Year 2019, Sekiro puts you in the role of a one-armed shinobi warrior in 16th-century Japan. The game features intense sword fighting, and you’ll rely on clever prosthetic tools and ninja skills to combine stealth, agile movement, and brutal close-quarters combat.
Lies of P
Lies of P is a recent and highly-rated soulslike game from Neowiz, making it a great gift for serious gamers. It comes with the ‘Overture’ DLC, which has already received the ‘Best Game Expansion’ award at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025. The game offers a unique take on the story of Pinocchio, placing you in the role of a puppet created by Geppetto during the Belle Epoque period.
Dark Souls Remastered
Released in 2018, this game is a remastered version of the original title that pioneered the soulslike genre. It boasts enhanced graphics and a smooth 60 frames per second, making for a much more fluid experience. Players will explore a dark and intricate world where the ending of the story simply leads to another, and the game is notoriously challenging.
Demon’s Souls
Demon’s Souls is a PlayStation 5 exclusive that makes a great gift for serious gamers. Originally released in 2003, it’s been completely remade with stunning improvements for modern consoles. The game challenges players both with quick reactions and smart planning.
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for a serious gamer? Let us know which game you’d recommend in the comments, or share your ideas on our TopMob Discord server!
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2025-12-24 19:19