The Best Action challenging difficult Games

Update : Moonscars added at rank #7.
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

Nioh 2 (2020)

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86
Review score
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Playstation 4 PC Windows Playstation 5

Unleash your inner demon in Nioh 2 - The Complete Edition! Engage in thrilling, fast-paced combat against fearsome yokai, explore devastated locales in Japan, and overcome new challenges in the Dark Realm. With its unique mechanics, extensive content, and rock solid co-op experience, you're in for a wild ride.


What we like:
  • Unique, improved mechanics
  • Fast-paced, smooth combat
  • Extensive content
  • Solid co-op experience
What could be improved:
  • Unfair price increase
  • Minor performance issues
  • Occasional crashes

  • boss
  • souls
  • rpg
  • combat
  • action
  • skill
  • controller-support
  • demons
  • ninja
  • combo
  • fight
  • challenging
  • difficult
  • customization
  • crafting

3

Lords of the Fallen (8800)

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71
Review score
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IOS iPhone Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One Android

A vast world awaits in all-new, dark fantasy action-RPG, Lords of the Fallen. As one of the fabled Dark Crusaders, embark on an epic quest to overthrow Adyr, the demon God.


  • boss
  • rpg
  • fantasy
  • souls
  • boss-fight
  • combat
  • action
  • fight
  • difficult
  • dark
  • exploration
  • challenging
  • battle
  • cooperative
  • arpg

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

Grimvalor (2018)

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84
Review score
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IOS iPhone Nintendo Switch Android

GrimValor is a dark fantasy action-adventure game with smooth controls, fast movements and challenging enemies. You will need to master basic movements, earn new abilities and access items while taking on powerful bosses. Enjoy an immense amount of content with no IAPs or ads.

Buy

What we like:
  • Smooth controls
  • Fast movements
  • Challenging enemies
  • No IAPs or ads
  • Robust RPG mechanics
What could be improved:
  • Collision detection can be gummy near walls and platform edges
  • Occasional attempts at story-telling not up to standards of the rest of the game

  • boss
  • platform
  • combat
  • challenging
  • tall
  • action
  • souls
  • boss-fight
  • entertainment
  • zombie-type
  • mad
  • nice-looking
  • puzzle
  • difficult
  • fast-paced

6

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019)

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95
Review score
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Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows stadia

In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, you are the one-armed wolf protagonist, tasked with fighting off demonic roosters, drunken ogres and other foes in a purgatory-like world. You will need to use your grappling hook and stealth skills to survive the difficult encounters that await you.


What we like:
  • Challenging yet fair gameplay
  • Unique blend of stealth and action
  • Verticality introduced via grappling hook
  • Vibrant love letter to Feudal Japan
  • Posture system adds new dynamic to combat
What could be improved:
  • No online integration
  • Difficult bosses require skill and technique to beat
  • Dragonrot disease affects NPCs upon death - halting their questlines until you cure them

  • stealth
  • boss
  • ninja
  • boss-fight
  • combat
  • fight
  • battle
  • difficult
  • skill
  • challenging

7

Moonscars (2022)

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74
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Playstation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch

Moonscars is a 2D souls-like, non-linear platformer that marks the debut of developer, Black Mermaid. Play as Grey Irma, a "Clayborn" with a head full of questions and an eyeful of stunning pixel art. Experience the mystery of Moonscars while exploring themes of identity. Enjoy fluid and gratifying combat with melee moves, special attacks, witcheries and amulet stones.


What we like:
  • Beautiful pixel art
  • Well written story
  • Excellent voice work
  • Satisfying parry system
  • Great use of light to create silhouette-like foregrounds
  • Unique enemies with visual cues
  • Stunning soundtrack with choir vocals
  • Replay value through side quests and trophy hunting
What could be improved:
  • Trial and error approach can make some boss fights difficult

  • souls
  • boss-fight
  • platform
  • boss
  • metroidvania
  • 2d
  • combat
  • pixel
  • gothic
  • fight
  • action
  • challenging
  • difficult

8

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

9

Mega Man 11 (2018)

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89
Review score
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Xbox One PC Windows

Mega Man 11 is the long-awaited sequel to the classic 8-bit series. With an updated visual and accessible gameplay, you can enjoy a story of rivalry between Dr. Light and Dr. Wily, challenging levels and memorable bosses, while using the new Double Gear System to slow down time and increase your power.


What we like:
  • Accessible for fans and newcomers alike
  • Updated visuals
  • Story of rivalry between Drs Light & Wily
  • Adjustable difficulty level
  • New Double Gear System
What could be improved:
  • Might be too easy for hardcore fans
  • Difficulty increases with levels
  • Short circuit consequences when overusing Double Gear System

  • boss
  • platform
  • robots
  • classic
  • retro
  • boss-fight
  • battle
  • difficult
  • action
  • card
  • old-school
  • rpg

10

The Spike - Volleyball Story (2021)

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89
Review score
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PC Windows IOS iPhone Android

The Spike is a 2D volleyball game which is light, but dynamic. Dominate your opponents with speedy and powerful spikes, to take control of the court!


  • volleyball
  • sport
  • casual
  • management
  • retro
  • card
  • cooperative
  • multiplayer
  • action
  • skill
  • challenging

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