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Embracing the challenge: a voyage through hard-hitting PC games
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Epic Games
Gamers looking to push themselves harder have a wide variety of options. Some crave a challenge and relish the achievement of overcoming stacked odds. Others appreciate the strategic aspects of deciphering and solving puzzles. Whatever the reasons, challenge lies at the heart of these games.
It’s not always easy to find the best of the best, but we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll tell you about some of the most challenging PC games and explain what makes them worth your time and attention.
What makes a video game challenging?
Some games feature complex puzzles that tax your deductive powers. Others require precision to time a jump right or to discover the cadence of a particularly tricky level in a platformer. Many roguelike (and roguelite) games force you to play and fail over and over, changing level layouts and enemy types on each run, gradually building your skills until you reach your final goal.
Games in the increasingly popular "Soulslike" genre offer a combination of brutal combat and exploration. The reward lies in perfecting combat skills and timing against an onslaught of powerful enemies and bosses.
Tips to conquer challenging games
If you’re just starting out, consider picking a genre that you’re already interested in.
Don’t be afraid to start slowly. Embrace the challenge. Trust that every run carries lessons that can make you better. Dedicate yourself to the improvement process.
Don’t let yourself get so mad that you wind up smashing your keyboard or throwing your controller through your monitor. (It happens!) When frustration boils over, walk away. It often seems like your brain incorporates the knowledge and skills you’ve gained during the downtime, and you may be surprised at how much better you are when you return. Your effort and persistence build the skills you need to overcome deliberately difficult PC games.
Also, a game that youcan play with an experienced friend is another great way to learn the ins and outs of a title, and there are plenty of online resources—including many here on Epic Games Store—that can help you level up faster.
The most challenging PC games
Hades
This charming roguelike from developer Supergiant Games is built on challenging gameplay and a story about grinding your way out of Hell. No two runs are ever the same because level layouts, treasures, and NPCs are randomized. As you try and fail and try again to reach the end, you’ll gain new powers, weapons, and upgrades to help you on your journey. Plus, Hades’ vivid visuals and rocking soundtrack make for a satisfying grind.
Sifu
Winning a one-on-one fist fight is hard enough, but developer Sloclap’s Sifu ups the ante by pitting you against mobs of enemies. Sifu’s combat is meticulous, leaving little room for error while promising spectacular victories for mastery. When you die, you age. Eventually, you age out and fail, and that makes every life precious. That leads to one of Sifu’s most satisfying conceits: You’ll play through each level multiple times, with the goal of avoiding death and perfecting your run.
Nioh
This Soulslike action role-playing game from developer Team Ninja is ideal for players looking for a challenge. In Nioh, you’re a lone samurai battling a barrage of humans and demons—and even the lowliest enemies are deadly. Nioh pushes players to perfect their fighting skills, and its exacting combat made it popular with PC gamers. Set in feudal Japan, it's gorgeously detailed and designed, too.
Super Meat Boy
If you grew up playing platformers, then you’ll understand Super Meat Boy, which developer Team Meat created to be a supremely difficult modern entry in the genre. As the slippery Meat Boy, it’s your job to run, jump, and dodge obstacles like saw blades and avoid environmental hazards. The trick to every level is figuring out the timing of every action, which is the only path to survival. Just about every wrong jump or mistimed duck spells disaster. Super Meat Boy is designed to test and grow your reflexes. It’s also a great game to pass the controller around with friends as you collectively overcome one of the most challenging PC games.
Returnal
Mixing science fiction, bullet hell, and roguelike gameplay, Returnal is a fast-paced and challenging third-person shooter. You are Selene, a pilot trapped on an alien planet. Every time you die, you return to the site of your crashed ship, and the exploration and combat begin again. It’s all about fighting creepy aliens, avoiding ubiquitous returning fire, and unraveling the omnipresent mystery as you slowly gain new skills and find new weapons in levels that constantly change. It’s among the best modern challenging PC games.
The hardest video game bosses
Sometimes, boss fights are the hardest parts of a game. Many cinematic boss battles have become legendary, leading to gaming’s greatest moments.
Whether you’re talking Final Fantasy VII Rebirth or a Kingdom Hearts game, Sephiroth is a reviled boss. Taking him on is always a challenge, but in Rebirth you’ve really got to step things up with perfectly timed blocks and follow-up attacks. Studying his attack patterns and making sure you avoid his most devastating spells is key to victory. And it is bound to be a long-fought victory as well, as the battle and Sephiroth go through a number of changes throughout this cinematic boss fight.
Some bosses you can’t even kill, like the Xenomorph in Alien: Isolation. Throughout this survival horror game, all you can do is attempt to avoid detection to stay alive.
Just remember that, no matter what boss you’re trying to take on, don't be afraid to step back, take a breath, and reassess the situation before giving it a second (or third, fourth, or fifth) try.
Play your favorite challenging PC games on the Epic Games Store
There’s a world of amazing PC games ready to challenge your skills and put your nerves to the test. Be sure to explore and check out everything available on Epic Games Store to find the perfect game to push you to that next level. Good luck!
Make sure you check out the Epic Games Store's news page to catch up on the latest from all of your favorite developers about all of your favorite games.