Best Games Where Harder Difficulties Change the Gameplay

The discussion of difficulty in video games will always elicit different reactions from players. Some feel that difficulty should be tailored to make games as inclusive as possible, while others feel that developers shouldn't compromise on the experience they're providing to players by adding easier difficulties.

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By  Harry Ted Sprinks

Either way, one point that most fans agree on is that harder difficulties should be more meaningful than just increasing enemy health and damage. It's an artificial way to increase the challenge that feels cheap. Thankfully, most games got the memo and integrated tougher difficulty modes that bring notable changes to the table and can potentially compel players to go through a second playthrough just to enjoy these changes.

8 Furi

Furier Mode Gives Bosses More Complex Movesets

Furi is a challenging boss rush that takes no prisoners, presenting a decent narrative where the Stranger must fight against numerous jailors trying to keep him away from Earth. Combat in this game is a blast as players master dodges and parries for each boss, with these unique fights forcing players to pull out all the stops and attain victory after numerous deaths.

While ending the game is an achievement in itself, players should check out Furier mode if they want to experience the very best that this title has to offer, Tutorial bosses lose their shackles and become deceptively powerful as players are forced to their limit once again. Thankfully, their experience in the easier difficulty means that they have the knowledge required to come out victorious in these encounters without getting too frustrated.

7 Katana Zero

Hard Mode Changes Enemy Types And Placements In Meaningful Ways

A difficult side-scrolling action title that is quite rewarding once players get the hang of things, Katana Zero is an indie gem that is perfect for players seeking out a challenging experience. A single attack is enough to kill players, forcing them to carry out a perfect run after multiple deaths.

If players choose to play this game in Hard Mode, then they'll be pleased to know that enemy layouts and types also change for each level. Players must keep their wits about them to avoid needless deaths and beat Katana Zero's Hard Mode by the skin of their teeth.

6 Hades

Beating Hades Once Lets Players Use The Pact Of Punishment To Customize Difficulty

Like most Supergiant Games, Hades has a unique approach to difficulty. After beating Zagreus' father for the first time, players unlock the Pact of Punishment to customize their run, making certain things harder to refresh rewards and make subsequent runs more engaging.

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Zagreus' effectiveness can be lowered in battle, but the best change brought about by the Pact of Punishment is altering bosses to make them more deadly in combat. From fighting all three harpies at the same time to taking on Hades in a third phase, these difficulty enhancements feel meaningful and are accompanied by special dialogue to make subsequent runs more rewarding for players.

5 Thief 2: The Metal Age

Higher Difficulties Change The Objectives For Each Level And Make Garrett More Fragile

The first two Thief games are great examples of how engaging an immersive sim can be. Everything from the surface players walk on to the tools they bring for a mission is completely up to the player, changing the way they approach the game.

On harder difficulties, both Thief and Thief 2 add new objectives for the player to complete while reducing Garrett's health, making him even more ineffective in a direct combat scenario. Players must master the stealth mechanics and get ready for a grueling time in each level, with The Metal Age considered by many to be the best Thief game that is a blast to play through.

4 Ghost of Tsushima

Lethal Difficulty Makes The Combat More Tense Than Ever Before

Ghost of Tsushima features the usual difficulty options that players have come to expect from such titles, but fans of unique difficulty options shouldn't be disappointed. This is because the game also comes packed with a Lethal difficulty option that turns combat into a tense and rewarding affair.

Both Jin and his enemies become easier to kill, punishing players for making mistakes and rewarding them for chaining kills in style. Every combat scenario leaves players on the edge of their seats as they use every tool in their arsenal to take out a group of enemies without succumbing to their powerful attacks.

3 Helldivers 2

The Game Introduces Larger Enemies In Greater Numbers At Tougher Difficulties

Helldivers 2 is one of the biggest live-service successes in quite some time, using its over-the-top patriotism and unique mission structure to keep fans engaged. Arrowhead Game Studios did a great job of making this experience more rewarding than ever, with the difficulty options of this title showing just how brilliantly it challenged players.

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The game features ten difficulty levels that alter everything from the resources players can enjoy to the kind of enemies they encounter in battle. Completing every single objective can turn into a nightmarish affair when players are bombarded by massive enemies who can kill them with ease if they don't prioritize teamwork during these missions.

2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Death March Encourages Players To Make The Most Of The Magic And Alchemy Systems Along With Melee Combat

Players who play The Witcher 3 in the first two difficulties may find the combat to be somewhat lacking, and understandably so. Geralt can get by most encounters with his melee attacks alone once players get over the early game hurdle, turning signs, bombs, potions, decoctions, and his other tools into something optional that players can choose to interact with if they wish.

However, on Death March, players who stick to this approach will be obliterated by enemies in no time. Tactically using Signs, using oils to exploit weaknesses, preparing for battles by imbibing decoctions, and being more mindful while slashing enemies is a must to get past some of the game's toughest boss fights.

1 Baldur's Gate 3

Honour Mode Has Permadeath And Adds Legendary Actions For Boss Fights, Among Other Tweaks

Not only is Baldur's Gate 3 one of the greatest video games ever made, but it has also received extensive support from Larian in the form of meaningful patches that completely change the way players approach this title. One major change came with Patch 5, which introduced the much-awaited Honour Mode fans were salivating for.

This difficulty mode is no joke, featuring permadeath and preventing players from save-scumming by restricting them to a single save that can't be loaded in the middle of the game. Bosses also receive Legendary Actions to make them more terrifying in combat, and Restoration Pods can only be used once. As one would expect, Honour Mode does a great job of making the game more challenging and rewarding than ever before with a suite of meaningful changes.

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