You’re done elden ring ? Congratulation. Now it’s time to test your skills by tackling other challenging games. Please note that our selection is aimed at an informed public.
You’re done elden ring (Bravo!) and as feared, has life since become a little dull due to the lack of a challenge to match your level of play? You are now looking for the next game that rewards you to your true worth and pushes you to your limits. Good news, there are plenty of challenging games that might satiate your appetite for high challenges.
We excluded all games from FromSoftware, so the trilogy Dark Souls, demons souls (the PS5 remake), bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows die twice, as well as video games openly inspired by it (i.e. any RPGs set in a medieval universe). It seems too natural for us to guess behind the studio’s other games elden ring, the gameplay is too narrow. That’s not to say they’re bad games, but there are other experiences to be had.
Be careful, these titles could cost you some controllers…
All these excellent games that will play with your nerves
Hades (2020)
We will never miss the opportunity to advise you Hades, a real little wonder that will have you hooked from the very first game. In this very daring reinterpretation of Greek mythology, we embody the son of the god of the underworld. This atypical hero has only one wish: to leave his father to enjoy a deserved freedom. The result is an adventure that relies on repeating failures to ultimately triumph. As a bonus, the narrative is exemplary, with a universe we’re happy to deepen with each attempt.
Playable on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Rest: from the ashes (2019)
Rest: from the ashes is in a way the TPS version of Dark Souls – where we would replace magic, swords and axes with guns. And we must recognize that the changes made work and guarantee new sensations. The equipment is certainly a bit sober, but the attention paid to the shooting mechanics – recoil, reloading, sound effects – is outstanding. You have to hold out a bit, then you won’t see the hours go by anymore.
Playable on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC.
Cuphead (2017)
Don’t let the outside fool you: behind its graphic, worthy of a 1930’s cartoon, Cuphead undoubtedly hides one of the greatest challenges of recent years. Very dated, the gameplay relies as much on reflexes as on learning and self-sacrifice. We tear our hair out in some levels, knowing that the easy mode is just an illusion: it doesn’t allow for any real progress.
Playable on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
fury (2016)
fury is defined as a boss rush, namely a video game that focuses exclusively on fighting tough opponents. Some would see a limit there. That’s actually a strength, because each face-to-face is unique and requires its own methodology to get out of it. It’s brilliant and never ceases to surprise. Note that an expansion will be released very soon: from May 16th we will be able to embody another character.
Playable on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Elder Souls (2021)
As fury, Elder Souls its gameplay revolves around boss fights. Again, it’s a way of making the most of all the tools available to players to get by. Each enemy we encounter really marks the ghosts and between two epic sequences we can explore a mysterious citadel animated by a magnificent rendering in pixel art. Be careful, it’s really really hard.
Playable on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
The wave 2 (2019)
We have decided not to include any game in this selection that is reminiscent of Dark Soul. We make a small bow to the rule The wave 2. While the first opus turned out to be deserved but could be perfected, this sequel reinforces the ambitions of this SF reinterpretation of FromSoftware’s popular genre. More beautiful, longer and above all better controlled, The wave 2 Relying on an interesting mechanic, which consists in dismembering enemies to gain resources essential to its survival. yes it is violent
Playable on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC.
Hollow Knight (2017)
When viewing images or videos fromHollow Knight, we think it’s all a bit too sweet and harmless to be true. This impression is correct as it places the requirement cursor quite high, with more technical combat than meets the eye. Its many qualities are at the service of a dense adventure that flourishes in the Metroidvania (action/adventure/exploration) genre. only problem? It’s very easy to get lost and wander around without knowing where to go.
Playable on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Ikaruga (2002)
Ikaruga will bring back painful memories for arcade fans. This is a vertical shoot-up, the peculiarity of which is very ingenious. Concretely, the ship you control can change from black to white, knowing that only a projectile of the opposite color can destroy it (it absorbs the others). So the trick is to constantly switch depending on what’s happening on the screen. You have to be quick and careful.
Playable on: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
tunic (2022)
In tunic, no one will tell you what to do. A cute little fox that looks like the hero of Zelda lands on an island. The first minutes are hesitant and we feel our way without really understanding what is going on. In fact, all the explanations are in the pages of a manual that you pick up as you work. It’s an idea of insane intelligence, but it might put off more than one.
Playable on: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and PC.
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