The best difficult games in 2026

In the catalog: 161 games
Top rated: Cuphead
Last listed: today

High difficulty by design expecting repeated attempts.

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Precision Platformer Platformer Bullet Hell Action Roguelike

DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin

Highest rated difficult

1. Cuphead
Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss…
Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles.
Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles.
CartoonGreat SoundtrackDifficult
Played by
2. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
From the depths of darkness, a dragon soars.
A new dark fantasy Three Kingdoms action RPG from Team NINJA, the developers of Nioh.
A new dark fantasy Three Kingdoms action RPG from Team NINJA, the developers of Nioh.
Souls LikeDark FantasyDifficult
3. DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin brings the franchise’s…
Gamers are in for a big surprise in DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin.
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin brings the franchise’s renowned obscurity & gripping gameplay to a new level.
Souls LikeDark FantasyAtmospheric
Played by
4. Pathogenic
You are a disease.
You are a disease.
You are a disease. Infect the human body as a lone pathogen in this cellular roguelike shooter.
Bullet HeavenTop Down ShooterDifficult
Played by
5. GTFO
GTFO is a hardcore cooperative horror shooter that throws you from…
GTFO is a hardcore cooperative horror shooter that throws you from gripping suspense to…
GTFO is a hardcore cooperative horror shooter that throws you from gripping suspense to explosive action in a heartbeat.
DifficultFPSHorror
Played by
6. Bread & Fred
Grab your best bud for help in this new co-op challenge to help two…
Grab your best bud for help in this new co-op challenge to help two adorable penguins…
Grab your best bud for help in this new co-op challenge to help two adorable penguins, Bread and Fred, reach the top of the snowy summit.
2D PlatformerDifficultCute
7. Astral Ascent
Choose one of four heroes and explore the Garden, an astral prison…
Astral Ascent is a 2D platformer roguelite game set in a modern fantasy world.
Choose one of four heroes and explore the Garden, an astral prison guarded by 12 powerful mystical bosses: the Zodiacs.
Replay ValueAtmosphericDifficult
Played by
8. Tears of Metal
Fight solo or up to 4-player co-op to reclaim your island alongside…
Fight solo or up to 4-player co-op to reclaim your island alongside your Scottish battalion.
Fight solo or up to 4-player co-op to reclaim your island alongside your Scottish battalion.
MedievalDifficultHack and Slash
Played by
9. Spelunky 2
Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the…
Spelunky returns in this greatly-expanded sequel to the original roguelike platformer!
Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a roguelike classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new.
Replay ValuePerma Death2D Platformer
Played by
10. Only Climb: Better Together
Tired of sitting on the ground?
Tired of sitting on the ground?
Tired of sitting on the ground? Take a sky-high journey with your friends in Only Climb: Better Together!
Precision Platformer3D PlatformerDifficult
Played by
11. Crypt of the NecroDancer
DELIVER BEATDOWNS TO THE BEAT!
Crypt of the NecroDancer is an award winning hardcore roguelike rhythm game.
Crypt of the NecroDancer is an award winning hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Move to the music and deliver beatdowns to the beat!
Great SoundtrackRhythmDungeon Crawler
Played by
12. Just Shapes & Beats
"Just Shapes & Beats" is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on…
"Just Shapes & Beats" is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things…
"Just Shapes & Beats" is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things: avoid Shapes, move to the kick-ass Beats, and die, repeatedly.
MusicGreat SoundtrackRhythm
Played by
13. JUMP KING QUEST
Plunge into high-stakes punishment platforming in JUMP KING QUEST!
Plunge into high-stakes punishment platforming in JUMP KING QUEST!
Plunge into high-stakes punishment platforming in JUMP KING QUEST!
Souls LikePrecision Platformer2D Platformer
Played by
14. KIBORG
FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM In the future, even death can’t free you.
FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM In the future, even death can’t free you.
KIBORG is a brutal rogue-lite beat’em up where you enhance your body with new cybernetic implants each run.
CombatThird PersonBeat Em Up
Played by
15. Hyper Light Drifter
Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and…
Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and lost technologies.
Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and lost technologies.
Great SoundtrackAtmosphericDifficult
Played by
16. Nuclear Throne
Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter.
Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter.
Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter.
DifficultBullet HellRoguelike
Played by
17. AK-xolotl: Together
Double the firepower! Online/Local co-op update now live!
The cutest, deadliest top-down roguelike shooter featuring AK-wielding Axolotls.
The cutest, deadliest top-down roguelike shooter featuring AK-wielding Axolotls.
DifficultCuteBullet Hell
Played by
18. SUPER CHICKEN JUMPER
The world is in danger.
The world is in danger.
A spy-chicken tries to save the world from doom in this runner/shooter game that has a little bit of everything with a touch of chicken and anime girls on top.
DifficultCuteAction Adventure
Played by
19. Spelunky
Spelunky is a unique platformer with randomized levels that offer a…
Spelunky is a unique platformer with randomized levels that offer a challenging new…
Spelunky is a unique platformer with randomized levels that offer a challenging new experience each time you play.
DifficultRoguelikePlatformer
Played by
20. Heavenly Bodies
Wrangle the hands and arms of a 1970s space cosmonaut and push, pull…
Heavenly Bodies is a game about cosmonauts, the body, and the absence of gravity.
Heavenly Bodies is a game about cosmonauts, the body, and the absence of gravity. Discover the ever-changing nuances of weightless motion in this challenging physics game.
SpaceDifficultPhysics
Played by
21. Biped
Biped is a coop action adventure game with a strong focus on…
Biped is a coop action adventure game with a strong focus on moment-to-moment collaboration…
Biped is a coop action adventure game with a strong focus on moment-to-moment collaboration between 2 players.
DifficultPhysicsPuzzle
Played by
22. Serpent's Gaze
Serpent’s Gaze is a punishing 1-4 player co-op third-person action game…
Serpent’s Gaze is a punishing 1-4 player co-op third-person action game where you fight…
Serpent’s Gaze is a punishing 1-4 player co-op third-person action game where you fight tough enemies and relentless bosses, all while uncovering the secrets of an ancient desert.
Souls LikeDifficultRoguelike
Played by
23. GODBREAKERS
Fast, Fluid, Frenetic!
Fast, Fluid, Frenetic!
Fast, Fluid, Frenetic! Break gods, steal powers, and chain abilities in a hectic combat loop.
Replay ValueSpectacle FighterFast Paced
Played by
24. Gloomhaven
Lead your band of mercenaries in the land of Gloomhaven, work with…
Lead your band of mercenaries in the land of Gloomhaven, work with unsavoury individuals…
Whether you are drawn to the lands of Gloomhaven by the call of adventure or an avid desire for the glimmer of gold in the dark, your fate will surely be the same…
Turn Based CombatTactical RPGDark Fantasy
Played by
25. SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising
SYNTHETIK is an unforgiving tactical shooter rogue-lite where freedom…
SYNTHETIK is an unforgiving tactical shooter rogue-lite where freedom and experimentation…
SYNTHETIK is an unforgiving tactical shooter rogue-lite where freedom and experimentation is key. Fight in a world overrun by the Machine Legion and their Gods.
Top Down ShooterDifficultRoguelite
Played by
26. Chained Wheels
Two Vehicles. One Chain. Zero room for mistake.
Two Vehicles. One Chain. Zero room for mistake.
Embark on a chaotic co-op drive in Chained Wheels, where two vehicles are chained together and every move turns into a shared adventure or a DISASTER.
DrivingDifficultPhysics
Played by
27. First Class Trouble
First Class Trouble is a party game where players must work together…
First Class Trouble is a party game where players must work together and against each other…
First Class Trouble is a party game where players must work together and against each other to survive a disaster. The goal is to shut down a deadly A.I.
Dark HumorSocial DeductionDifficult
Played by
28. Cave Story+
Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive…
Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent…
Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.
MetroidvaniaDifficultCute
Played by
29. Driving Rogue
Own the streets, one reckless run at a time.
Own the streets, one reckless run at a time.
Own the streets, one reckless run at a time. Drift through traffic, chase impossible gaps, and push your luck to keep the combo alive.
Fast PacedControllerRacing
Played by
30. One Step From Eden
Eden is the last shining beacon of hope in a bleak post-war world.
Eden is the last shining beacon of hope in a bleak post-war world.
Build a powerful deck, cast spells on the fly, battle evolving enemies, find game-changing artifacts, make friends or make enemies, just make it to Eden.
Replay ValueCard BattlerDeckbuilding
Played by