10 Hardest Video Games of (2025)

When games are too hard to beat, it can become frustrating for most players. However, some gamers are looking precisely for that kind of challenge to push their skills and abilities to the limits. It’s not that these games are impossible but that they’d just need a couple of tries and practice to master. If you’re the kind of gamer looking to challenge yourself with some of the hardest games, we’ve compiled the hardest video games this year for you.

What is a Hard Game?

A hard game is simply any game that’s difficult to beat. They are games that are made intentionally difficult to breeze past, often requiring patience and practice to learn their mechanics and master the gameplay. Often, you’ll have to retry the levels to successfully beat the game.

Hardest Video Games Right Now

We’d love to explore some of the hardest video games this year, if only to challenge yourself on how far you’re able to play through the games below.

10. Deathbound

Deathbound lets you control not one but four characters at the same time, switching between them on the fly. You’ll have seven playable characters in total, relying on their unique skill sets to take on the unforgiving enemies and bosses you’ll run into. 

Perhaps the biggest gameplay element that makes Deathbound’s difficulty rank high is its Soulslike mechanics. You’ll definitely have to put in the work before you can reap the fruits of your labor, which, I must add, are well worth it. Plus, you’ll improve over time, ensuring that the latter encounters are a little easier, if not more familiar.

9. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

While Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is engineered from the FromSoftware Dark Souls formula, it’s actually different in the sense that it’s been toned down to accommodate more players. But this only makes it harder for gamers who are used to Soulslike gameplay. 

Yet the difficulty spikes up on other considerations, like the fact that there are no upgrades, builds, scaling up, or difficulty choices. There are no shortcuts, with the combat requiring patience and actually mastering its mechanics to progress. 

You’ll often try and try again, at times letting frustration creep in. Yet it’s all so exhilarating when you beat a boss or manage to unlock a higher level. 

8. Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong is also pretty stringent on adjusting the difficulty level, making it one of the hardest video games this year. This action RPG adapting Chinese mythology uses hack-and-slash gameplay to bring down its foes. It’s definitely a tougher system than the likes of God of War and Devil May Cry. 

However, Soulslike titles like Lies of P and Elden Ring are still tougher. When you reach the boss fights, be prepared to use trial-and-error and repeat the battles quite a bit before grasping the perfect way to take them down.

7. Contra

Contra, a run-and-gun video game series, has long been known for its unforgiving difficulty, although you’re free to adjust its settings to the easier mode and enjoy slower enemy projectiles and decreased boss HP. Still, you’re going to die a tad too many times. 

The beauty of Contra, though, is it’s addicting, engaging you even when you’d probably have given up. Using trial and error, you could stand a chance to beat the levels. 

6. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Among the hardest video games this year is Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. While the original game was tough on its own, this new spin-off ups the ante with more aggressive enemy scaling, tough boss mechanics, and fast-paced combat.

You’ll often need to practice near-perfect dodges and time your attacks precisely to beat the stages. Elden Ring fans are known to love challenges, and Shadow of the Erdtree only seeks to take it a notch higher.

5. Lies of P

While Lies of P might be one of the easiest among the sea of incredibly tough Soulslike games, it still has a decent amount of challenge to get through. The bosses may be tough to beat. However, the enemy design is fair.

Plus, the imbalance in the mechanics at launch has been ironed out now, providing a seamless experience through and through.

4. Blasphemous 2

Blasphemous 2, a side-scrolling Metroidvania, on the other hand, may cause a bit of a headache given the imbalance in the boss difficulty. Some bosses will be relatively easier to beat than others. 

The same goes for the enemies, who may, at first, seem like a breeze. Further into the game, though, you’ll begin to sweat rocks. Fortunately, the controls and platforming are smooth. 

3. Darkest Dungeon II

The Darkest Dungeon II sequel ramps up the challenge from the first game, adding even more complexity and strategy to battles. However, to smooth over the added challenge, you do have some leeway in still retaining your heroes after each run. 

Still, you’ll need to learn to juggle several mechanics, whether it’s the debuffs, positioning of your characters, or the fighting styles of enemies.  

2. Remnant II

Remnant II has four difficulties that make room for rookies to enjoy the game. However, higher difficulties have bigger rewards. So, it makes total sense to put yourself through some of the most brutal fights for bigger loot. 

The Nightmare and Apocalypse difficulties make Remnant II one of the hardest video games this year. Add the steep difficulty curve and Soulslike experience, and you’d be in for a bumpy ride.

1. Returnal

Returnal takes a bit of a while to get used to. However, once the mechanics and adrenaline kick in, it’s smooth sailing. It doesn’t make the actual gameplay any easier, though. You still contend with increasing difficulty the higher you climb the levels. 

Plus, being a rogue-like, you’ll likely die too many times and be forced to start again. Without difficulty setting, you’re stuck on the same level. There’s also no mid-run save feature, further adding to the overall unforgiving gameplay.