Video games are meant to challenge players, but there are times when this happens in a subtle way that fans don't expect. What may seem like a simple action early has nightmarish consequences later down the line when players are made to pay for a mistake they never made.
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This can make certain moments in video games way tougher than fans would expect. While players can still power through these difficulty spikes, they will rue the moment they made a decision that couldn't be undone.
Being Too Good In God Hand
Players Will Get Into A Flow State And Not Realize That Difficulty Has Reached "Die" Level
God Hand
- Released
- October 10, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m // Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
To be fair, the difficulty level is something that players will be aware of in God Hand, for the most part. However, once players reach a flow state, things can get so chaotic that players may not even realize they're reached difficulty level Die until it's too late.
The sheer amount of damage and punishment they incur when this difficulty level is reached is no joke. If players realize the mistake they've made by being too good at the game, they should definitely bow down and prostrate to lower the difficulty and make things more manageable for them.
Hugging Fia In Elden Ring
Most Players Didn't Even Know That Their HP Gets Debuffed After This
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Elden Ring may be a great video game, but it continues the FromSoftware tradition of explaining things poorly to players. So, when they hug a person on their deathbed, the last thing they expect is for this moment to incur a significant debuff.
It'll take a while for players to even register a debuff that reduces their total health by 5%. It may not seem like a lot, but every hit point in Elden Ring counts, especially when players face off against some of the game's strongest bosses.
Getting A Free Biochip Upgrade In Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Makes The Boss Fight Against Namir Way Harder
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Released
- August 23, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Human Revolution is one of the best Deus Ex games that fans universally praised, although the boss fights were universally criticized for forcing players into combat, regardless of their approach in other parts of the game. This, in itself, would make the encounter against Jaron annoying, but there's another way this boss fight becomes harder to handle.
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If players go for a free Biochip upgrade in China, Jaron can hack Adam's cybernetics and make them ineffective in this battle. This, coupled with the annoying visual glitches that follow, makes the boss fight against Jaron way harder than it has any right to be.
Becoming A Vampire In The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
Getting Damaged By The Sun Isn't Ideal
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Released
- November 11, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol
At a glance, being a vampire may seem cool in Skyrim. Players gain access to unique spells and transformations that make the gameplay more dynamic than ever.
However, this also comes with a pretty big drawback — the inability to stay out in the sun. Players will receive steady damage in the light, which forces them to only travel in the night and robs them of the beauty present in Skyrim's world that truly shines when the sun is out.
Using Illithid Powers Too Many Times In Baldur's Gate 3
Resisting The Mind Flayer Becomes Harder
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the best RPGs ever made, where almost every choice has a hidden consequence. This includes the option to use the illithid parasite to manipulate others, which can have an unexpected consequence later down the line.
When the Mind Flayer is convincing the player to pursue his plan, players will find it harder to fight back against his influence. This is a fitting consequence for players relying on the power of a parasite they're trying to get rid of and proves once again why the role-playing in Baldur's Gate 3 is off the charts.
Choosing The Wrong Party Members When The Ship Crashes In Divinity: Original Sin 2
Players May Be Stuck With Companions That Make The Final Act Way Harder To Get Through
Divinity: Original Sin 2
- Released
- September 14, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is far from the easiest RPG, with the first and last acts being especially nightmarish to deal with. Early on, players coming to grips with the physical and magical armor system will be scrounging for equipment that doesn't leave them vulnerable to status effects.
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However, the real kicker comes just when players are about to land near Arx. A cataclysmic event on the ship leads to multiple casualties, and only the people in the hero's party survive. This can make the adventures in and around the city more unbearable, especially since enemies become trickier to deal with than ever before.
Playing As A Nosferatu In Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines
Getting A Masquerade Violation Just By Being Spotted Is Brutal
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
- Released
- November 16, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines features two classes that completely change how players approach the game. Malkavians are insane and talk in riddles, but players who don't mind filling in the gaps and dealing with some nonsensical dialogue will have a blast with this race.
The same can't be said of the Nosferatu, who are so heinous that even appearing in public leads to a Masquerade Violation. Players must stick to the sewers and stay out of sight if they don't want to be taken down by Hunters who want to take them out and ensure that the society of vampires isn't exposed to the public.
Killing Too Many People In Dishonored
Players Are Routed To The Bad Ending With More Enemies To Deal With
Dishonored
- Released
- October 9, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
Dishonored is one of the best games ever made that encouraged players to opt for the non-lethal route, even if it was way less interesting to play the game this way. However, if players went on a rampage as Corvo and killed everyone in sight, they would head towards the bad ending and deal with harder stages.
Some characters will betray the player and make things harder for Corvo, the number of Weepers in the game increases (since more corpses cause the Rat Plague to spread easily), and there are more guards around to stand in the player's way.
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