Hardcore gamers will always occupy a niche in the industry, with many skilled players feeling like their needs are finally being met courtesy of Dark Souls' immense success and the rise of indie gaming. Various genres have started catering to a hardcore group of players who are almost gluttons for punishment.
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It helps that the oppressive atmosphere of a horror game intensifies the stress induced by its tough gameplay. Players need to learn a title's in-depth gameplay mechanics and get used to failing if they want to eventually become skilled at the following horror games.
8 Pathologic 2
Players Must Be Smart If They Don't Want Their Playthrough To Become Downright Impossible
Pathologic 2
- Released
- May 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ice-Pick Lodge
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Pathologic 2 serves as both a remake and a sequel to the first game, placing it in a weird zone that is completely in line with this franchise's oddities. While the sandbox can be challenging to adjust to, players will love the hardcore trappings of this game after a point.
Players must manage their sustenance and fatigue levels while trying to deal with enemies without having their heads caved in. The fact that death makes this game harder is a unique mechanic that will truly horrify players, forcing them to either get better during their run or start from the beginning.
7 STALKER: Clear Sky
The Toughest Game In A Hardcore Survival Horror Series
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
- Released
- September 15, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- GSC Game World
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
It speaks volumes when players highlight one title in a hardcore series as the hardest of the lot, which is why Clear Sky can be one of the most daunting survival horror games players can get their hands on.
The beginning of this game takes no prisoners, with players dying over and over again before they can finally get a grasp of things. The title takes a while to open up, but the reward for adjusting to this title's immense difficulty is one of the most rewarding firefights, where a player's tension is at an all-time high as they try to scrape by these shootouts without incurring a gazillion wounds in the process.
6 Darkwood
Every Step Feels Tense As Players Try To Get Through Every Day Without Being Torn To Shreds
Darkwood
- Released
- August 18, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- m
- Developer(s)
- Acid Wizard Studio
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Audio design is a huge part of what makes any horror game tick, and Darkwood is no exception here. Players will be immersed in this game's unique brand of horror in no time, forcing them to get creative as they struggle to deal with the most basic monsters in the game without being ripped to shreds.
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Darkwood can be a bit too challenging at times, but players should treat every death like a learning experience. Preparation, quick reflexes, and caution are key to surviving in this hard-as-nails horror game.
5 The Last Of Us Part 2
The Stealth And Combat In This Game Have A Very High Skill Ceiling, Especially on Grounded
The Last of Us Part 2
- Released
- June 19, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Naughty Dog
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
The Last of Us Part 2 is one of the best horror games of all time, even if its story rubbed some fans the wrong way. No one can deny the strengths of the combat system, which are in a class of their own.
Players must get familiar with the strengths that both Ellie and Abby bring to the table, with their unique abilities adding a whole new layer to the combat system. Eventually, sneaking around and clearing enemy encounters in record time will become second nature for players who were struggling with the game, with the No Return mode serving as the ultimate test of the player's skills.
4 Alien: Isolation
A Single Mistake Can Have Dire Consequences For The Player
Alien: Isolation
- Released
- October 7, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Alien: Isolation is a horror game that came out of nowhere to wow the masses. What could've been a simple, phoned-in entry that used an established horror IP to market itself turned into a glowing example of how technical excellence can elevate the tension in a horror game.
Save points are intermittent, enemies are tough, and the threat of the xenomorph is always looming over players. No matter how adept players get with this game, they will still feel a wave of panic descending on them whenever the alien spots them and starts homing in on their location.
3 Sunless Skies
The Combat Can Be Very Hard And Takes A While To Get Used To
Sunless Skies
- Released
- January 31, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Blood, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Failbetter Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Players who loved Sunless Sea but found its combat and slow pace to be a bit too plodding for them will love what Sunless Skies brings to the table. The inclusion of real-time combat mechanics and improved pacing ensures that a player's adventures in the skies won't be nearly as boring.
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However, anyone who takes the combat system too lightly will be in for a rough time. A group of basic enemies can still tear players apart, and the choices players must make can have long-reaching consequences, forcing them to get better and learn how this game works to prevent a premature demise.
2 Inscryption
If Players Check Out Kaycee's Mod, Then They Must Figure Out Ways To Exploit The Game's Mechanics
Inscryption
- Released
- October 19, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
The sinister atmosphere of Inscryption turns its roguelike deckbuilding gameplay into something magical. While the difficulty of this game isn't too overbearing over the course of the main story, fans will sing a different tune when they get into Kaycee's Mod.
All of a sudden, bosses that could be plowed over could become so challenging that players needed to stick with certain strategies to overcome foes. Keeping a lean deck, buffing important cards, and quickly finishing encounters becomes paramount for players who don't want to lose in an especially promising run.
1 Bloodborne
The Scariest FromSoftware Action RPG That Can Be Pretty Challenging
Bloodborne
- Released
- March 24, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4
Bloodborne is one of the greatest video games ever made, with fans loving just how sinister and compelling this title's lore is. However, the biggest draw of this action RPG is obviously the combat, which boasts a faster pace than most other FromSoftware games.
Players must power through their opponents and either adhere to the game's fast-paced combat system or die repeatedly. Eventually, after becoming more skilled at the game, players will be able to cut down tough bosses who were giving them a hard time just a few hours ago, making for an extremely satisfying experience... Only for a player's ego to be torn to shreds once they reach the DLC bosses.
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