Random Most Punishing Video Games (22 items)

(#4) Mega Man
Often the standard bearer of difficultly, Mega Man didn't give you much of a cushion. Die too much? There're no save points. You have to run through entire levels over again. Safe zones? Forget about it -- never relax or you'll find yourself dead. Maybe, just maybe, you'll be lucky enough to get away with only one broken controller.
(#5) Dark Souls II
- 2014
From Software remakes one game over and over, but they remake it well. Dark Souls II made for a social media darling. Why? Because the game hates you personally. No handholding, no real direction, no UI interface telling you what you need to be doing. It's just you against enormous enemies that can take you out in a couple of hits. And then you have to suffer the indignity of returning to where you died, lest you give up all of your stuff.
(#19) System Shock 2
- Aug 11 1999
The notes left behind by the dead space crew, mixed with terrifying sound design, will haunt you for ages in System Shock 2. Dealing with mutated crew members charging you with a lead pipe and begging you to kill them? Monkeys that you hear well before you see them trying to kill you? Good luck sleeping.
(#15) S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
- Mar 20 2007
Here's thing about S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl: You will be afraid of a bush. That's right. Your Geiger counter's going off and you know if you walk in the wrong direction, you're going to get more irradiated than ever, and you probably have to walk toward a bush where a bandit is definitely ready to pump you full of holes. Oh! And you have maybe ten bullets in a realistic (read: inaccurate) shooting system. You're going to die, but you can't stay where you are. Enjoy!
(#18) Batman: Arkham Knight
- 2015
The game itself overall isn't the most punishing, but the Riddler side-game with all of those Batmobile races? The splashy handling of the Bat's favorite car made for incredibly frustrating moments. All the while, what do you have but the Riddler himself in your ear, making fun of your every move? It's enough to crack open a controller or two. The only reason why you didn't is so you'd have the opportunity to crack open Nigma's head.
(#7) Super Meat Boy
- Oct 20 2010
This indie gem will provide you with hours of the most challenging platforming you've ever experienced in your life, so be prepared to pull most of your hair out before completing the game 100%.