Frustrating Levels In Otherwise Great Games

Highlights

Some quality games can be marred by unexpectedly difficult levels that disrupt the fun and flow of gameplay.
Challenging sections and poorly designed levels can lead to frustration, despite an otherwise enjoyable gaming experience.
Infamous frustrating levels in well-received games highlight the importance of maintaining a balanced difficulty curve in game design.

As someone who has spent countless hours navigating through the labyrinthine world of video games, I must say that these infamous levels have left a trail of frustration and exasperation in their wake. The Pachinko Game from some forgotten arcade corner is a perfect example of how seemingly random mechanics can turn an otherwise enjoyable experience into a test of patience.

Video games offer a fantastic way for individuals to unwind and enjoy themselves for a while. However, it’s disappointing when a top-notch game includes a level that suddenly becomes excessively difficult, ruining the experience in mere moments. While most players enjoy a challenge, certain parts might not adhere to the established difficulty progression or may simply be poorly designed.

Nearly every great video game includes a challenging segment that can almost spoil the entire enjoyment, and these difficult spots have even appeared in games that received top reviews. Here’s a list of eight particularly notorious levels that exemplify this frustrating trend:

8 Chapter 3: The Burning Ground (Bayonetta)

Awful Quick-Time Events That Come Out Of Nowhere

Frustrating Levels In Otherwise Great Games

At the time of its debut, Bayonetta seemed like a significant advancement in the hack-and-slash genre due to its sleek combat mechanics and thrilling boss fights. Nevertheless, its level layouts fell short, and The Burning Ground, the third chapter of the game, illustrates this flaw particularly well.

In this stage, the city is engulfed in flames and smoke due to the boss Fortitudo’s destructive powers, making most enemies ignite when Bayonetta comes into contact. This can be irritating, but the real nuisance lies in the sudden Quick-Time events that appear during rough platforming sequences, providing little time for players to react. Unfortunately, this chapter seems to have an excess of these frustrating segments, and Chapter 3 appears to be where this annoying mechanic is most prevalent.

7 Atlantica (Kingdom Hearts)

A Confusing Water Level With Lackluster Combat

Initially, the initial installment of “Kingdom Hearts” was widely acclaimed for numerous factors, but a significant contributor to its success was the diverse worlds inspired by beloved Disney films. Among these worlds, Sora, Donald, and Goofy journeyed through, some that stood out more than others did, and one notoriously remembered is Atlantica, which stemmed from “The Little Mermaid.” While players appreciated levels such as Agrabah or Halloween Town, Atlantica has earned a reputation among them as an unforgettable level.

As a gamer navigating the maze-like underwater world, I’ve found myself often disoriented and struggling to find my way through this vast aquatic labyrinth. To reach specific areas by hitching a ride on the dolphin, players must first vanquish every Heartless enemy lurking in the Undersea Valley. This task can be quite daunting at times. The swimming controls of Atlantica aren’t too shabby, but the combat in this level feels constrained because Sora can’t deploy cool features like Summons or Special Abilities.

6 Rush Hour (Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time)

Way Too Long And Overwhelming

As a die-hard fan, I can confidently say that Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time was a triumphant comeback for the beloved Crash Bandicoot series and a fitting continuation of the legendary PS1 trilogy. However, it wasn’t without its pitfalls. This game has been under fire due to its laborious levels that require an enormous investment of time and energy to achieve a perfect 100%. The peak of these problems can be seen in level 29, aptly named Rush Hour.

Despite its title suggesting briefness, Rush Hour surprisingly drags on, often taking experienced Crash Bandicoot players over 10 minutes to finish – an unusually long time for this series. The most frustrating aspect is that players don’t control Crash in this level, instead they must play as Dingodile and Tawna. Though these characters are generally enjoyable to play, extensive levels like Rush Hour expose the fact that their individual mechanics can sometimes feel underdeveloped and unrefined. It might have been more fitting to split Rush Hour into two separate levels, one for each character, to make gameplay smoother and more in line with franchise standards.

5 Poison Pond (Donkey Kong Country)

Missing One Thing Can Turn This Level Into A Nightmare

Originally, “Donkey Kong Country” stands among the greatest 2D platformer games ever made. This is due to its stunning music, groundbreaking graphics, and a level of difficulty that’s both challenging and fair. However, it’s important to note that not every level in the game is flawless. In fact, there’s one underwater stage that often leaves players feeling stuck, and it goes by the name “Poison Pond“.

In the game “Donkey Kong Country,” the water levels are already challenging due to restricted controls and unpredictable physics. However, Poison Pond takes it to another level with countless enemies swimming about and paths that are too tight for comfort. This means players must be incredibly precise in their actions to progress, although a secret passageway at the start where you can find Enguarde helps alleviate some of the frustration, though not entirely.

4 The Meat Circus (Psychonauts)

An Escort Mission Combined With Precise Platforming

The video game titled “Psychonauts” is a remarkable 3D platformer overflowing with imagination, as evidenced by its numerous mental realms that vividly portray the eccentric personalities of its captivating characters. Notably, the concluding stage of the game, the Meat Circus, intertwines the histories of the protagonist, Raz, and the primary antagonist, Coach Oleander.

The final result is quite aesthetically pleasing, but it’s very infuriating on a mechanical level. Raz will have to protect a young Oleander from being attacked by bunny demons, which is quite annoying in itself. But on top of that, he will have to access the different parts of the Meat Circus by going through some really challenging platforming segments that require precise timing from the player. The combination between an Escort Mission and a ruthless platforming challenge did not work well at all, and it resulted in a disappointing final level for such a solid video game.

3 Pachinko Game (Super Mario Sunshine)

Unreliable Physics At Their Absolute Worst

Although Mario is undoubtedly the reigning monarch in the realm of platform games, it’s important to acknowledge that many of his titles contain one notorious level that players often choose to bypass. For instance, Super Mario Sunshine represents Mario’s second venture into 3D platforming and, while it might not achieve the legendary status of Super Mario 64, it remains a remarkable work within the genre. However, this game has gained an infamous reputation due to its occasionally awkward and unpredictable physics.

In the assortment of elective courses available in the game Super Mario Sunshine, some may find the challenging physics frustrating. However, nothing compares to the notorious Pachinko Game, where players must maneuver a Pachinko machine, collecting eight red coins along the way. The problem lies in an unseen force that pushes Mario towards the edge of the board, and the erratic physics add to the difficulty. This minor adjustment makes the entire level seem entirely random and incredibly difficult to control.

2 Can’t Wait To Be King (The Lion King)

A Deliberately Hard Level Meant To Artificially Extend The Game’s Length

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) version of “The Lion King” is frequently regarded as one of the top games adapted from an animated film. It boasts stunning 2D graphics, its music closely resembles the original movie soundtrack, and it offers engaging platforming stages. However, many players, particularly those who played it in the past, have come to dislike the second level: “Can’t Wait To Be King.”

As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can attest that there are few levels as notoriously challenging as this one. The intricate platforming atop giraffe heads, the perplexing puzzles involving monkeys in the trees, and the irritating obstacle courses while riding on an ostrich – these elements have made this level infamous among gamers. To make matters worse, Simba’s vulnerability, as he dies with just one hit, only adds to the difficulty.

1 Temple of the Ocean King (The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass)

A Horrible Level That Has To Be Visited Multiple Times Throughout The Adventure

In every “Legend of Zelda” game, there’s one dungeon that’s particularly notorious among fans, and “Phantom Hourglass” is no exception to this rule. Quite the contrary, it might even hold the title of the most disappointing in the series. However, this Nintendo DS exclusive was generally well-received for its unique control system, creative mechanics, and stunning visuals. Unfortunately, the “Temple of the Ocean King” was so challenging that it tarnished the overall enjoyment for many who played it.

The main gimmick of this dungeon is to navigate it while using the titular Phantom Hourglass, which lets Link explore without taking damage from the curse. But there’s a timer that is increasingly going down, and this adds an overwhelming sense of urgency to the level. The main enemies of the Temple of the Ocean King are the Phantoms, which can steal Link’s sand and decrease his timer if they hit him. This can be avoided by using really clunky stealth mechanics that make the gameplay all the more tedious.

Each of these components contributes significantly to making this dungeon one of the toughest levels in the Zelda series, yet it’s made worse that the Temple of the Ocean King is a recurring dungeon, requiring Link to traverse it at least five times throughout the game. The repetition makes for a very monotonous experience, and unfortunately, it diminishes what could have been an outstanding DS title.

2024-08-21 04:34