11 Most Difficult Games of the Last Decade (2023)

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Video games come in many levels. There are those that you can finish in eight hours, and there are games that would have you spend weeks or months on end just to win.

Unlike slot machines that you find in a casino, like Gonzos Quest Megaways demo, video games that you play on console or mobile are built to challenge player’s skills.

But what are the most difficult games?

Let us take a look at our top 11 most difficult games ever launched in the last decade.

1.Monster Hunter: World

This game is released by Capcom, and it is available on both console and Steam. It is undoubtedly one of the best-selling games from Capcom.

The game is difficult because you cannot go to combat without understanding how the different monsters are powered. Each type of monster that you meet in the game has a different skill set, which is evident in its attack patterns.

As a player, you have to learn the attack pattern of each monster before your strike. There are also 14 different weapons to choose from, and each weapon has a unique characteristic that can help you defeat a monster easily.

Overall, the game has a total of 48 monsters. You need to defeat each monster to finish the game, but this is not going to be easy.

2. Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus

A sequel to the successful predecessor, Wolfenstein II is an FPS video game from Bethesda. The game is available on multiple platforms, and you can also buy it on Steam. It was released in 2018, but it still remains as one of the toughest games to crack.

In the game, it seems like all the enemies are really programmed to get you.

Here are the reasons why the game is so difficult to beat:

• No matter where you are, the enemies seem to know where you are hiding.
• The game does not have a lot of indication to tell you where the shots are coming from
• You cannot easily figure out how to hide.

Overall, health and damage are both reduced, so you have to be careful. There is even a difficulty level where you only have a single life throughout the game.

3. The Binding of Isaac

This one is reminiscent of dungeon games. It was inspired by the biblical story of Isaac, and the game was first released in 2011. At first, it was only available on PC, but it was later playable on other operating systems.

Here, Isaac’s mother receives a message from God. She was told that her son has to be sacrificed. Isaac flees in fear and fights monsters along the way—in their home’s basement.

While the game is full of loot and enemies, what makes it hard is that the game has about 200 types of unique enemies, each with its own power level. The different dungeons also have lots of traps, and you have to dodge various projectiles.

4. Super Meat Boy

The developer of this and the Binding of Isaac is the same firm. Released in 2010, this game is about a slice of meat that needs to save his girlfriend.

As you start playing the game, you will immediately notice that it is a difficult game. At each level, you get introduced to new scenes and elements. The game has a lot of hazards, and this is what makes game progression a challenge.

One good thing about this is that if you die, Meat Boy re-spawns at the same spot where you died. If you think that the basic game is easy, you can play the feature called Dark World. This only becomes available once you have completed the first area.

5. Crypt of the Necrodancer

This game was released in 2015, and it comes from an independent studio in Canada called Brace Yourself Games.

Here, you are going to explore a dungeon. It is a rhythm game where you go to different levels. You need to walk, attack, dig, and dodge beats. If you missed a beat, your multiplier bonus would get reset back to the start.

To defeat your enemies, you have to learn its beat. The game also uses coins. You use the coins to buy equipment that will make things easier for you. There are many characters that you can unlock in the game. And since the game is about music, the characters’ names are Cadence, Coda, and the likes.

6. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

This is an action-adventure game from Activision. It is a Japanese-oriented storyline where you play the role of Sekiro, a Shinobi that is also known as Wolf. Your goal is to take revenge against a samurai clan that kidnapped your master.

It is a difficult game because it is a stealth game. You cannot win this by brawling or instigating open fights. While the fights are fast-paced, you need to learn many moves.

Some of these moves are:

• Dodging attacks
• Combo moves for attacking
• Counter-attack moves

You only have a fraction of a second to respond, and this is what makes the game exciting. It is up to you if you want to deflect, dodge, or counter-attack.

7. Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy

This is a platformer video game, which means that there is a lot of jumping and running that happens. Developed by Bennet Foddy, it was released in 2017. Over 2.7 million people downloaded and played the game.

The game is about a naked man inside a cauldron. You need to control this man and guide his hammer so he can climb up.

The player’s problem is that he has to battle with gravity. One wrong move and you will fall. Also, you can work your way up for half an hour, only to find out you made a mistake, and you start over again. As you fail, Mr Foddy will be saying things to cheer you up. But this is going to make you more frustrated.

8. Demon’s/Dark Souls

Released in 2009, this is a series of difficult games under the Souls flagship title. The games are played via a third-person perspective, and you will fight enemies both with weapons and magic.

Here, you will battle different bosses while exploring the world. The game has a medieval fantasy setting, and you will fight knights, dragons, and demons.

It is also your job to stop the spread of a demon-infested fog. The game is punishing. You will face one tough challenge from one chapter to the next. You cannot be complacent here, even after you have developed your skills. Even non-boss characters are tough to beat.

9. Cuphead

At first glance, it would seem like Cuphead is a game for kids. However, it is actually more than that. While the game sports retro colours and 2D animation, the gameplay is tougher than what it looks.

Cuphead is a run and gun game. Here, you fight various bosses, and each boss is a lot more difficult to eat than the previous one. As you progress, you will fight bosses either on foot or in the air. You can fire bullets and also have access to weaponry.

You can play Cuphead in a single or multi-player mode. No matter what you choose, the game is difficult. The final part is battle against two bosses—perhaps the most difficult game bosses in the history of gaming.

10. Celeste

It is also a platform game, and this was released in 2018 by two independent game developers. The game is available in several platforms, such as Nintendo Switch, MS Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Mac, and Linux.

The premise of the game is simple: help a girl climb a mountain. The problem is that the mountain is dangerous. The mountain will consistently drop things that can take you to offer the game.

The game is not just about gaming, but it helps players understand the severity of depression. Celeste aims to help people become aware of the challenges of having issues with mental health.

11. The Witness

The Witness is a puzzle game, which was released in 2016. It was published by Thekla and was inspired by another game, the Myst.

Although it is a puzzle game, it is an open-world genre where you can explore the world. The island that you explore has lots of natural and man-made structures. There are hidden paths along the way, and most of the things that comprise the gameplay are hidden.

This is where the puzzle comes in. You will also see lots of symbols, and it is your job to identify their meanings. The island is also designed in grids, and you will have to discover how the puzzles are solved. The game does not provide hints or clues on how to solve them.

Summary

The expectation is that games will become increasingly more difficult as we move on. With the presence of AI, we may no longer see games that have simple programming. Instead, the games we play have AI that overwrites itself, depending on how we play.

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