Summary
- PlayStation continues to set new standards with high-quality and challenging games like Demon's Souls.
- Returnal and Rise of the Ronin offer steep learning curves with relentless difficulty and rewarding gameplay.
- Lies of P, Nioh 2, and Sifu provide intense challenges with punishing combat mechanics and high skill demands.
There are few video game brands that can compete with the quality and calibre of PlayStation, whether first-party exclusive titles that are enough of a draw to make players buy a whole console, or an expansive library of games that continues to grow every single year. The impact that the company has had on the gaming world is undeniable, and they continue to push out high-quality titles of all kinds, with varying levels of accessibility and difficulty.
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Finding the right balance between hardness and fairness is no easy feat, and very few games manage to achieve the perfect amount of each. This console generation brought so many exceptional titles from across the industry, many of which set new boundaries for what was possible in terms of making a game hard and demonstrated that a game doesn't have to scale up after the first few levels, and can instead be a significant challenge right from the start.
8 Demon's Souls
The First Of Its Kind
Demon's Souls
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bluepoint Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
It might not be as heavy as some other FromSoftware titles, but it is still quite the opponent. Demon’s Souls set a new standard for what players expect from punishing, skill-based gameplay when it originally released, and the PS5 remake only sharpened its brutal edge. The game throws players into the crumbling kingdom of Boletaria, where every enemy encounter can end in swift death if approached carelessly, requiring precision and learning in order to succeed.
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The steep learning curve is immediate and uncompromising, as in typical FromSoftware fashion, the game does little to explain its systems or handhold new players, requiring them to learn through trial, error, and failure. Exploration is dangerous but rewarding, offering hidden shortcuts, rare items, and world-shifting secrets for those willing to take the risk, and while it takes some time to get the hang of even the basic systems, the reward is immense and makes the game feel like a mountain has just been climbed once it ends.
7 Returnal
Takes Some Getting Used To
Returnal
- Released
- April 30, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Housemarque
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
A genre blend that is both perfect and unexpected, Returnal is a fast-paced, third-person roguelike shooter that tests players with relentless difficulty and shifting environments in a unique world unlike any other. The main mechanic is that, as it is a roguelike, death acts like a reset, forcing players to adapt and improve with each attempt. Tight, fluid combat demands precise movement, rapid reflexes, and sharp decision-making, which is combined with relentless enemy attacks that fill the screen with bullet-hell patterns, and even basic foes can eliminate careless players within moments.
The steep learning curve in Returnal stems from its blend of randomized elements and punishing combat that rewards skill and punishes sloppiness. Memorizing enemy behaviors, mastering dash invulnerability frames, and managing limited healing resources are all crucial for survival, and the demands of the player are incredibly high right from the get-go. Progression is slow but rewarding, as players unlock permanent upgrades that slightly ease future runs, and the dynamic world ensures that no two attempts ever feel exactly the same.
6 Rise Of The Ronin
Not Quite Sekiro But Still A Challenge
Rise of the Ronin
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Rise of the Ronin is an open-world experience that brings precise, skill-based combat into a richly detailed version of Bakumatsu-era Japan that is full of flavor and beauty from start to finish. The game requires more than simple button-mashing to succeed, with weapon types, stances, and timed parries all playing critical roles in battles against both human and supernatural enemies. Enemies strike hard and fast, punishing mistimed dodges and aggressive overextensions, in a similar fashion to a Soulslike but with a bit more elegance and finesse.
The learning curve is steep, not just in combat, but in traversal and mission design. Many systems in the game, like weapon durability and stamina, need to be managed with care, as one poor decision can quickly spell the end of the player. Exploration can reveal hidden enemies, side missions, and valuable upgrades, but wandering off the beaten path often leads to tough challenges that test every skill learned so far, demanding constant adaptability and care to avoid falling to the steel blades on the other side of the fight.
5 Black Myth: Wukong
Bringing All The Folklore Action To Life
Black Myth: Wukong
- Released
- August 20, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Game Science
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A God-like monkey fighting against a world of myth and legend, Black Myth: Wukong is truly a remarkable game that brings many of the best aspects of the Soulslike genre and combines them with a rich world full of character and mystery. Every part of the combat demands precision and requires a level of thought and care that is both challenging and enjoyable to play with. With a single weapon type to choose from, the gameplay depth comes more from skills and stances, each offering a unique playstyle that mixes up the fights in new and interesting ways.
Right from the start, it is clear that the game isn't going to be a walk in the park, as even simplistic foes put up a pretty decent fight and side-bosses provide a sizable level of difficulty before the game even gets going. By the end, the player will be a master of the staff, but it takes some time to get the hang of the combat approach and ability usage, as without understanding and careful usage, the player will look more like a zoo animal than a mighty hero from tales of old.
4 Lies Of P
Stunningly Beautiful And Satisfyingly Hard
Lies of P
- Released
- September 19, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Round8 Studio, Neowiz
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A delightful Soulslike from a studio that doesn't have a long lineage in the genre, Lies of P demonstrates that careful attention to detail and usage of existing DNA can lead to an amazing experience that is also incredibly hard right from the start. Set in the city of Krat and incorporating a healthy amount of fairy tale folklore, the player battles their way through giant mechs and skilled swordsmen, all while grappling with their existence as a puppet.
The difficulty never holds back, and even the first few hurdles can be pretty significant and require a good understanding of the parry mechanics in order to overcome. The player's ability to stand their ground in the face of some devastating attacks is incredibly satisfying yet hard to master, and given the lack of tools provided early on to help the player through the tricky parts, it is solely up to them to get good and fight back against the absurd threats that litter the streets of this once beautiful city.
3 Nioh 2
Stepping Up The Challenge
Nioh 2
- Released
- March 13, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
A brutally refined action RPG from a studio well-versed in punishing combat, Nioh 2 elevates the Soulslike formula by blending traditional samurai warfare with intense Yokai-driven powers. Set during the chaotic Sengoku period of Japan, players create their own half-human, half-demon warrior and battle through hordes of deadly enemies and towering bosses that each provide a unique challenge without waiting too long for the player to level up. The list of mechanics is near endless, from stance swaps to meter management, every aspect of the combat demands attention and care in order to be used to its fullest potential.
The difficulty spikes almost immediately, with early encounters teaching harsh lessons about timing, resource management, and aggressive counterattacks, without giving the player too many easy battles. The sheer variety of enemy types keeps players constantly on edge and with limited resources, tight windows for recovery, and few shortcuts to victory, Nioh 2 pushes players to truly understand its systems if they hope to stand against the relentless onslaught awaiting them.
2 Stellar Blade
Intense Action And Gorgeous Style
Stellar Blade
- Released
- April 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature
- Developer(s)
- Shift Up
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
A stylish and relentless action title , Stellar Blade combines fast-paced combat with a heavy emphasis on precision, reflexes, and timing that blends intense action with even more intense difficulty. Set on a devastated Earth overrun by grotesque creatures, players take on the role of Eve, a warrior fighting for humanity's survival with more than a few tricks and techniques up her mechanical sleeves. Every encounter demands full attention, with enemy designs built to punish reckless button-mashing and reward carefully executed combos, perfect dodges, and well-timed counterattacks.
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The difficulty curve reveals itself early, requiring players to quickly adapt to enemy attack patterns and manage stamina and cooldowns effectively. Bosses, in particular, are relentless and unforgiving, often requiring multiple attempts and precise execution to overcome, and never once letting off the gas even in the earlier stages of the game. It offers limited crutches for the unprepared, making the path to mastery a rewarding but steep climb built entirely on the player's ability to improve and persevere in the face of struggles.
1 Sifu
Brutal For Even Veteran Gamers
Sifu
- Released
- February 8, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sloclap
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Beat 'Em Up
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Sifu is a brutally challenging beat-'em-up title that combines fluid martial arts combat with a unique aging mechanic that makes every fight feel personal. Players take on the role of a young student seeking revenge for the murder of their family, and as they battle through progressively tougher enemies, their character ages with each death, which brings its own unique perks and changes to every subsequent fight. The combat system rewards precision and timing, with parries, dodges, and counterattacks essential for surviving encounters.
Mastery of combos and enemy patterns is vital, as the game punishes carelessness with swift, devastating consequences. The difficulty is steep from the outset, with even basic enemies able to overpower an unprepared player, and every single encounter, whether it be a single foe or a larger group, feels like a gigantic feat to overcome, with many more battles on the way. Success is built entirely on practice and refinement, with each death providing lessons that push players toward mastery of the game’s deep combat systems and rewarding them with one of the most satisfying and enjoyable combat experiences in all of gaming.
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