Best Games With Punishing But Rewarding Combat

Okay, so everyone talks about Soulslike games being super hard – and yeah, they are! Seriously, traps everywhere, losing all your progress is a real fear, and enemies are constantly trying to kill you. But honestly, those aren’t the only tough games out there. I’ve found plenty of other RPGs and action games that can be just as brutal, and really test your skills.

Honestly, what I love about these games is how tough they are! It’s so satisfying when you finally overcome a really hard challenge. There have been amazing examples of this kind of gameplay throughout gaming history – things like the ‘Souls’ series really nailed it. If you’re looking for them, keep an eye out, because these games are still incredible to play.

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Nioh 3

The Latest Craze

Nioh 3 is a recent action RPG in the ‘Souls-like’ style, and it’s a great example of the genre. The game focuses heavily on combat, letting you play as either a samurai or a ninja. Strategically switching between these styles during fights can create openings to defeat enemies. You’ll face opponents that are either quick and agile, or slow but incredibly powerful, demanding careful timing and strategy.

Players will quickly realize they need to master all their skills to stay alive, or they’ll lose progress and have to attempt a risky recovery run to reclaim it. While learning the game’s classes, enemy weaknesses, and upgrades can be tough, the combat in Nioh 3 becomes incredibly exciting once you get the hang of it.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Get Good Or Die

Okay, so Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice isn’t exactly like the other ‘Souls’ games, even though FromSoftware made it. You play as Wolf, a ninja, and you’ve got a katana, a cool grappling hook, and this awesome prosthetic arm with all sorts of gadgets. Honestly, sneaking around is a big part of fighting, but the combat is really unique – it’s all about perfectly timing your counters, and it takes a lot of practice to get the hang of!

Unlike many role-playing games, you can’t just become powerful by repeatedly battling enemies. Upgrades are scarce, so you’ll need to master the game’s combat mechanics to survive. While it might be FromSoftware’s most challenging game yet, it could also be their best. The intense combat, customizable prosthetic arm, and grappling hook—which adds a new dimension to both exploration and fights—all contribute to a truly exceptional experience.

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Combat Like Link Has Never Seen

Many consider The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to be one of the greatest games ever released on a Nintendo console, and a significant turning point for the Zelda series. Though not a “Souls-like” game, it offered a surprisingly tough challenge, especially when facing enemies. While previous Zelda games had difficult monsters, Breath of the Wild‘s enemies were far more punishing.

Players had a lot of freedom to explore, but this sometimes led them into dangerous areas where monsters could defeat them quickly. Without helpful stat-boosting items or enough spare weapons, they often found themselves in trouble. This frustrating experience encouraged players to try different foods, focus on safer zones, and always carry plenty of weapons.

Ninja Gaiden (2004)

Ryu Is Reborn

The original Ninja Gaiden games on the NES were notorious for being brutally difficult and often felt unfair, with enemies appearing suddenly from offscreen and instantly killing players. The 2004 reboot by Team Ninja maintained the series’ reputation for being challenging, but made it much more manageable. In this version, almost any enemy – whether a common ninja or a powerful demon – posed a real threat to the hero, Ryu Hayabusa.

This action game was incredibly fast-paced, inspired by combos and gameplay from Devil May Cry, but significantly more challenging. Success depended on aggressive attacks and precise dodging. Players needed to stay focused constantly. While later versions were made easier, the original Xbox release remains extremely difficult – a big plus for those who crave a real challenge.

Hades 2

Accessible, But Not Easy

As a huge fan, I’m so excited for Hades 2! It’s a roguelike, which means it’s seriously challenging – only Soulslike games are harder, honestly. What’s cool is that Hades 2 is actually pretty welcoming, especially with the optional God Mode if you need a little help. But if you’re playing it the normal way, be prepared to die a lot. You’ll keep starting over, losing all the cool temporary power-ups and builds you’ve made, but that’s just part of the fun!

Players can improve their chances on each attempt by using different currencies to try out new weapons, Tarot cards, and cauldron upgrades. Like role-playing games, roguelikes involve a lot of repetition and rely heavily on luck. When it comes to combat, Hades 2 is one of the best – it’s quick, smooth, visually exciting, and incredibly addictive, even if you fail repeatedly.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Turned Up To 11

Hollow Knight was a vibrant 2D adventure game known as a Metroidvania, with combat and exploration that felt deliberate and paced like Dark Souls. Its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, took a very different approach. It was much more challenging and focused on fast-paced action. The game featured more traps, tougher enemies, and a change to the attack style – the downward slash now moved diagonally – which surprised many longtime players.

Players gradually mastered Hollow Knight: Silksong by improving their gear, discovering powerful combat abilities, and learning the game’s mechanics—much like they did with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. While it’s up for debate whether Silksong is better than the original Hollow Knight, the sequel boasts incredible energy and stunning visuals that set it apart.

Fire Emblem (2003)

Saying Goodbye To Beloved Characters

The Game Boy Advance release of Fire Emblem was the first time the series had come to North America since its original appearance on the NES in 1990, and fans of strategy RPGs were blown away. The game is very straightforward – you have to make the most of every battle to improve your characters, as there’s no way to simply repeat battles to get stronger.

The game features permanent character death – once a character is gone, they’re gone for good. This encourages players to think carefully and strategically, often restarting matches multiple times to refine their approach. Successfully completing a match without losing anyone, or even accepting some losses, can be surprisingly satisfying and relaxing.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

The Fog Of War

Like many strategy games, XCOM: Enemy Unknown features permadeath – once a character dies, they’re gone for good. However, instead of controlling specific, named heroes, you command randomly generated soldiers. The game centers around a covert organization fighting off an alien invasion, and players must decide which people to save during missions.

Protecting one location often means leaving another vulnerable, so careful planning is crucial even outside of combat. During missions, enemies are concealed by a fog that only lifts when you get close, which can be risky. With limited supplies and a set path to follow, players will face tough choices and constant pressure, but successfully defending against an alien invasion feels incredibly rewarding.

2026-02-19 04:39