Hard Games That May As Well Give You A Mental Breakdown (2024)

We all love a challenge here and there in our favorite video games, but do you still like it to your preference when things get a littletootough? Some games I’ve played over time are so incredibly daunting, that you could literally have a mental breakdown trying to get through them sometimes, and that’s … a fight in its own right.

For those adroit enough to brave the difficulty that these games offer right out the bat, I’ve decided to put together a list of some lesser-known yet extremely hard games that are going to push you over the edge, no questions asked. Make sure to go through each listing carefully as to figure out what’s tailored more to your preferences.

Be Warned: These Suggestions Are Not For The Faint Of Heart

Oh, and in case you have a suggestion to add to the list, do not hesitate to post a comment down below.

1. Cuphead

Starting the list off is Cuphead, an extremely brutal 2D platformer that leaves no stone unturned when it comes down to annoying the hell out of the player. On the flip side though, the game boasts incredible art direction, mixing the visuals with a cartoony vibe from the 1930s. It’s a real menace this one, so if you rage quit playing Cuphead, you won’t find me blaming you in any way.

If you’re on PC, it only costs somewhere around $8, which I’d say is very well worth the purchase.

2. Noita

Nolla Games’ Noita is one of the most difficult roguelikes I’ve ever played to date, and also the most content-packed. After pouring in anywhere between 60-100 hours (keep in mind that it has a download size of less than 10 GB) you’re probably going to beat the game, but, then again, at what cost? Because that is when Noita actually takes off, offering surreal endgame potential that you can’t just reallyskip out on.

I won’t be spoiling the rest of the game for you, so dive into it as blindly as you possibly can. P.S.: Noita’s going to make you cry.

3. Doom Eternal

You might find this entry a bit odd at first glance, but I highly recommend holding your horses before jumping to a conclusion. Doom Eternal is a practically different game when you play it on its highest difficulty setting—Nightmare. If you’re after the ultimate experience, go straight for the top shooter instead of settling for Ultra Violence.

Try and see if the game doesn’t make you want to pull your hair out that way, being a chaotic, adrenaline-fueled first-person shooter. Oh, and in case you missed it, a new Doom game is coming, showcasing Doomslayer in an even more menacing fashion than before. Better get into the loop before the latter comes out.

4. Pathfinder: Wrath Of The Righteous

Coming across as one of the most replayable RPGs of all time, Pathfinder sure knows how to keep players hooked to the brim. Part of this feat, however, comes from the steep learning curve associated with its gameplay, which soon turns into hell for you. That is, of course, if you begin the game on the “Unfair” difficulty mode, which I really recommend you do if you crave trauma.

There is a extensive and extremely robust set of difficulty options, I suggest you use them, everything from turning off mechanics you don’t like to making some stat adjustments, how long effects last, etc. Almost every negative review complains about difficulty, In a game where you can use the difficulty options to make a Wizard with a knife win every fight on autopilot without casting a single spell,” reviews one Hyena on Steam.

5. Nioh 2

Nioh 2 is the sequel to the first Nioh from 2017, serving as a massive improvement in ways more than one, while also offering enhanced hellish difficulty for veteran players. However, here’s the kicker: Nioh can be unbearably difficult at times, forcing you to really use your brain to get out of tricky situations, or change your build altogether.

It’s a mesmerizing game that I believe everyone should experience at least once. The game’s hard, but it’s fun as well, earning a 4/5 in eXputer’s review, with author Hanzala Iftikhar remarking,

Nioh 2’s minor design repetition and dated visuals are fully offset by the meaningful story and the superb combat you can’t get enough of.”

6. Celeste

When you have a title like Celeste available at your disposal, you do get to thinking that the indie gaming scene is carrying the industry at this point, considering the level of quality on display here. Boasting an amazing soundtrack, flawless gameplay, and beautiful art direction, Celeste is as gorgeous a game as brutal as it is in actual play.

It’s a near-perfect platformer that is going to make you suffer. Mark those words down.