The Best Action difficult difficult Games for Mac OS

Update : Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter added at rank #2.
1

Hyper Light Drifter (2016)

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92
Review score
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IOS iPhone Linux Mac OS PC Windows Xbox One

Hyper Light Drifter is an atmospheric action RPG set in a gorgeous pixel art world with a superb score. You are a Drifter fighting your way through enemies while piecing together the story of the world around you.


What we like:
  • Atmospheric soundtrack
  • Gorgeous visuals
  • Superb gameplay
  • Unique Zelda-like experience
What could be improved:
  • Difficulty spikes when there are too many enemies around you

  • pixel
  • boss
  • boss-fight
  • combat
  • post-apocalyptic
  • narrative
  • exploration
  • dungeon
  • rpg
  • difficult
  • action
  • platform
  • battle
  • challenging
  • retro

2

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter (2025)

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78
Review score
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Xbox Series X/s PC Windows Linux Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch Xbox One Mac OS Playstation 5 Xbox Series X

Embark upon a vast, snow-ravaged kingdom in Tails of Iron 2, sequel to the critically acclaimed action-RPG. As Arlo, heir to the Warden of the Wastes, adventure through harsh northern lands, home to giant beasts and ragtag bandits, in an epic quest to overcome an ancient, blood-starved evil.

Buy

  • souls
  • rpg
  • fantasy
  • dark
  • narration
  • action-adventure
  • action
  • combat
  • story
  • 2d
  • difficult
  • single-player
  • medieval
  • adventure
  • atmospheric

3

GRIME (2021)

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78
Review score
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stadia Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X Mac OS

Dive into the twisted world of GRIME, a challenging yet rewarding action-adventure RPG. Absorb your enemies, use their traits against them, and explore surreal environments. Face the unknown, unlock new abilities, and indulge in death-defying combat. Are you ready to conquer this world of anatomical horror and intrigue?


What we like:
  • Compelling and twisted world
  • Satisfying and responsive combat
  • Engaging exploration and movement
  • Unique parry and absorption mechanics
  • Generous progression system
What could be improved:
  • Lacks a strong narrative
  • Map functionality could be improved
  • Occasional sound glitches during boss battles

  • souls
  • surreal
  • platform
  • boss
  • metroidvania
  • dark
  • boss-fight
  • combat
  • action-adventure
  • exploration
  • 2.5d
  • rpg
  • difficult
  • action
  • scroller

4

Verlet Swing (2018)

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92
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch IOS iPhone Mac OS

Verlet Swing is a curious game where you must swing and manoeuvre through obstacles towards a shimmering goal in order to escape. Target something, then use the left thumbstick to guide you through the air, timing your swings correctly to avoid obstacles and crashing into the ground. With 100 levels to clear, each with their own online leaderboards, it provides plenty of challenge and satisfaction.


What we like:
  • Unique concept
  • Interesting visuals
  • Exhilarating experience with sound of air rushing around
  • Reasonable price considering the amount of gameplay
  • Chilled out vibe with themed levels
What could be improved:
  • Repetitive tasks
  • Some stages can feel unfair

  • fast-paced
  • surreal
  • editor
  • level
  • abstract
  • 3d
  • action
  • first-person
  • challenging
  • replay-value
  • difficult
  • platform
  • manipulation
  • sport
  • corridor

5

RunGunJumpGun (2016)

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86
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Android

Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is a tough as nails game that puts a gravity-defying weapon in your hands. One button lets you fly, the other blasts obstacles out of the way. With a cast of crazed characters, challenging gameplay, and a pulsing musical score, it delivers twitchy platforming goodness.


  • platform
  • pixel
  • trip-hop
  • action
  • shoot-em-up
  • difficult
  • retro
  • surreal
  • 2d
  • resource
  • alternate
  • straight-forward
  • sci-fi
  • chiptune
  • runner

6

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number (2015)

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94
Review score
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Xbox One Linux Mac OS PC Windows

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is the brutal conclusion to the Hotline Miami saga, set against a backdrop of escalating violence and retribution over spilled blood in the original game.


  • top-down
  • violent
  • shooter
  • gore
  • narrative
  • difficult
  • stealth
  • retro
  • crime
  • action
  • pixel
  • psychedelic
  • combat
  • cover
  • twitch

7

Flywrench (2015)

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83
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 4 Mac OS

Flywrench is an intense aerial obstacle course, where the goal is to guide the ship to the end of the level while passing through barriers and avoiding walls. It has similar difficulty as Super Meat Boy and VVVVVV, but without being a platformer.


What we like:
  • Updated graphics and physics
  • New soundtrack
  • Levels steadily become more difficult
  • Introduces new obstacles
  • Allows precise maneuvering through air
What could be improved:
  • Movement with momentum can be difficult to break
  • Some levels are too challenging for newer players

  • platform
  • difficult
  • agenda
  • finely-honed
  • colour-coded
  • drum
  • zero-player
  • action
  • surgeon
  • bat
  • ninja
  • vertical
  • tough-as-nails
  • reflexes
  • challenging

8

64.0 (2017)

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91
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Mac OS xbox ps2 gamecube Game Boy Advanced (GBA)

Beware! This game is really hard! If you like challenges or you don't mind losing A LOT, this game is for you. One simple rule: Shoot only the squares that have the same color as the background (the bad guys). One simple goal: Survive 64.0 seconds. Shoot first, listen later: Reflexes and memory are key to this game. We use rhythm as hints in certain parts, but you should trust more in your eyes. A more formal description: 64.0 is a minimal fast-paced arcade game, where you shoot the squares that have the same color as the background, but since the background is constantly changing, everyone can be a bad guy! Features: Fast-paced action. Awesome chiptune soundtrack. One unique mechanic each level. Endless mode.


  • rhythm
  • fast-paced
  • abstract
  • top-down
  • retro
  • pixel
  • 2d
  • difficult
  • arcade
  • shooter
  • chiptune
  • minimalist
  • replay-value
  • action
  • survival

9

Battle for the Crystals (2024)

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ND
Review score
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Mac OS PC Windows

Prepare for a relentless battle in "Battle for the Crystals," a homage to the classic multidirectional shooters that demand skill and strategic prowess. Combining action RPG and auto-battler mechanics, Battle for the Crystals brings you minimalistic yet very challenging fantasy battlefields.

Buy

  • perma-death
  • attack
  • score
  • survival
  • pixel
  • retro
  • tactical
  • twin-stick
  • casual
  • rpg
  • action
  • difficult
  • fantasy
  • 2d
  • arcade

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