15 Hardest Games of 2025

We love a good challenge, and the last year delivered plenty of them. We played a lot of games that really pushed our limits, requiring quick thinking and a willingness to try new things.

If this sounds good to you, you’re probably like us – someone who enjoys a challenge! You’ll definitely appreciate the items on this list. Each one will push you in a unique way, but the effort will be well worth it, as these are experiences you won’t want to skip.

Let’s dive in, and let the battles begin.

1. Bionic Bay

If you’re surprised a 2D platformer could be one of the year’s most difficult games, be warned: this one is incredibly challenging and will often leave you feeling frustrated. That feeling of difficulty persists throughout the game as you attempt to guide your character through tricky levels on a desperate journey to freedom.

This game is really challenging, but if you’re persistent, you’re in for a fantastic experience.

2. Elden Ring: Nightreign

While it’s more fun with friends, playing with strangers is part of the experience in FromSoftware’s first roguelike game, Limveld. It’s a fast-paced adventure where you’ll need to carefully plan your path and act quickly to overcome dangers. It’s a challenging but addictive journey through perilous lands.

Let me tell you, those end-of-run bosses are brutal. Seriously, it takes a lot of tries just to figure out how to even start making a plan to beat them, and even then, it depends on what weapons you happen to get. I think that pretty much sums it up, honestly.

3. Haste

Okay, so Haste looks really simple – you just run and try to land perfectly, right? But honestly, it’s way harder than it seems. It’s all about being super precise to get the best results, and it’s surprisingly unpredictable. You’re trying to build up speed and nail those landings, but the game throws a ton of stuff at you that can just stop you dead in your tracks. It’s frustrating, but in a way that keeps me coming back for more.

If you don’t give up easily and enjoy a challenge, you’ll really enjoy this – though be prepared for some frustrating moments!

4. Escape From Tarkov

This extraction shooter is designed to be tough, no matter how you play. You’ll quickly find yourself taking damage and getting hurt. This is because the game focuses on realism and tactical gameplay, meaning you need to be aware of your surroundings and constantly watch out for enemies.

This can be a tricky situation, particularly when facing experienced opponents. Be careful and learn how it works – understanding the details could be crucial for success.

5. Wuchang Fallen Feathers

Set during the fall of the Ming Dynasty, this fantasy game brilliantly rewards experimentation. When faced with seemingly impossible obstacles, you’re encouraged to keep trying different strategies until you succeed. The combat is exceptional, with each weapon feeling unique and offering its own special way to play.

The game features fantastic enemies and bosses, and some of the tougher ones really pushed our skills to the limit. If you’re looking for a beautiful world filled with challenging combat, this game is an easy recommendation.

6. AI Limit

Being a Blader is tough, and Arissa faces plenty of obstacles in this sci-fi action RPG. How well she does depends on the player, and the game’s combat system is demanding. It clearly takes inspiration from Souls-like games, with enemies that are unpredictable and force you to think carefully about how to fight them.

The game challenges you to be quick-thinking, making success feel especially satisfying.

7. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2

Henry’s latest adventure can be tough, but mastering the combat system will really help. Exploring the world thoroughly can make things a bit easier, though the game is designed to provide a consistent challenge.

Hardcore mode significantly increases the game’s realism by removing many of the helpful features players usually depend on. To succeed, you’ll need to fully learn the combat controls and practice frequently.

8. Hollow Knight Silksong

This game is a fantastic follow-up to the original, offering a much larger world to explore. The expanded size really enhances both exploration and combat, creating a fast-paced gameplay experience where mistakes can be costly. The main character is more agile and has new abilities, which are a great asset when facing the game’s challenging enemies.

To win the hardest fights, you need to be accurate and aggressive. Hesitation can be fatal, and the game constantly reminds you of that.

9. Blue Prince

This puzzle is perfect for anyone who enjoys a mental challenge. You’ll need to use your cleverness to find a secret 46th room within a mansion that constantly rearranges itself – you might even find yourself thinking about it during your workday! It seems straightforward, but it’s surprisingly difficult to solve.

This game often tricks you with its puzzles, and its design can lead you on a wild goose chase when the answer was actually simple and obvious the whole time.

10. The First Berserker: Khazan

Khazan’s battle system is incredibly exciting, combining a compelling story with a distinctive art style. It provides players with everything they need to overcome challenges, but the enemies are so well-designed and difficult that you’ll be motivated to keep trying even after defeat.

You’ll quickly see why this is something you won’t want to quit – it’s truly exceptional.

11. DOOM: The Dark Ages

Everyone fears the Slayer, but his power comes from the weapons he uses. This earlier story in the series can be really challenging, and you’ll need to master its new gameplay features to succeed – especially if you’re playing on the tougher settings.

This game demands careful strategy as you battle enemies, carving a destructive path through their forces with the incredible power of Earth’s greatest hero. The Slayer’s newest quest is incredibly challenging, but highly rewarding for those who dare to take it on.

12. Warriors: Abyss

This game really shines with its huge character selection and excellent combat. However, battles can be incredibly challenging. You’ll need to become skilled with your chosen character and strategy, because the enemies are tough and will quickly defeat you if you lose control of the fight.

Although the story isn’t amazing, the game does let you fearlessly charge into battles against lots of enemies – but only if you put in the effort to learn and improve your skills.

13. Ninja Gaiden 4

The latest Ninja Gaiden stays true to the series’ reputation for being difficult, constantly testing the skills of both Ryu and Yakumo throughout the game. While the combat will feel familiar to longtime fans, it might take some time for new players to fully get the hang of it.

This game challenges you to master everything it teaches and overcome every obstacle. And it’s not enough to just succeed – you need to do it with flair and panache, otherwise what’s the fun?

14. Hell Is Us

The combat in this game isn’t very difficult, but the real challenge comes from its intentionally confusing design. Hell is Us is a complex game, and a lot of its content is hidden, making the world feel mysterious and obscure if you aren’t actively looking for it.

Solving the mystery will take all your detective work, and you’ll need to be skilled with a sword when trouble appears. You might not discover everything in just one attempt, so it’s a good idea to keep notes as you play.

15. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Joe Musashi’s fight against the ENE is a fun and fast-paced action game, though you might find yourself replaying sections quite a bit. Musashi is nimble and gains useful skills throughout the game, making combat easier. However, the challenging enemies keep you engaged and ensure every win feels earned.

The combat is a thrilling back-and-forth of strikes and evasions, offering a surprisingly engaging experience that’s easy to pick up but hard to master. You can easily lose yourself in it for hours.

That concludes our look at the most challenging games of 2025 that we’ve been following. We’re excited to see what gaming brings in the year ahead, and we’ll be right here with you to experience it all!

2025-12-31 23:17