Best Challenging Games

Every game with a Challenging vibe, ranked by Belly Score. These are the titles The Belly felt hit that Challenging note, sorted from the highest verdict down.

Games tagged with a Challenging vibe, ranked by Belly Score. Vibe tags describe how a game feels to play — the mood and texture of the experience — so this list groups titles that share that Challenging energy even across different genres. Browse to find games that hit the Challenging note you're after, scored and verdict-ready.

Best Challenging Games rankings

9.9

Community

3.6

1 rating

ELDEN RING: SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE

Action · RPG · Adventure

PC · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S

Dark FantasyMythologyMonsters+1

AdventurousDiscovery-DrivenAtmospheric+3

9.9

BALDUR'S GATE 3

RPG · Adventure · Strategy

PC · PlayStation · Xbox

AdventurousExploratoryDiscovery-Driven+18

9.8

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

Action · Adventure

PlayStation 2 · PC · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One

Dark FantasySupernaturalMonsters

IntenseFast-PacedAdrenaline-Fueled+2

9.8

Community

9.1

2 ratings

Terraria

Action · Adventure · Sandbox

PC · PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · Xbox 360 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X · Nintendo Switch · Wii U · Nintendo 3DS · Android · iOS · Linux · macOS · Windows Phone · Stadia

FantasyMonstersNature / Wilderness

AdventurousExploratoryChallenging+2

9.8

Metroid Dread

Action · Adventure

Nintendo Switch

Sci-FiSpaceAlien+1

ExploratoryTenseIntense+3

9.8

Slay the Spire

RPG · Strategy · Adventure

PC (Microsoft Windows) · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch

FantasyDark FantasyMonsters

ChallengingBrutalStrategic+3

9.8

DoDonPachi DaiOuJou

Shooter

Arcade · PlayStation 2 · Xbox 360 · iOS · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · PC

Sci-FiFuturisticRobots / Mechs+1

IntenseFast-PacedChallenging+3

9.8

Community

2.9

1 rating

Elden Ring

Action · RPG · Adventure

PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S · PC · Nintendo Switch 2

Dark FantasyMythologyMonsters+1

AdventurousDiscovery-DrivenEpic+3

9.8

Community

8.9

1 rating

DARK SOULS III

Action · RPG · Adventure

PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PC

Dark FantasyPost-ApocalypticMonsters

DarkBleakChallenging+3

9.8

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

Action · RPG

Nintendo 3DS

FantasyMonstersNature / Wilderness

AdventurousIntenseChallenging+3

9.8

ALAN WAKE 2

Action · Horror · Adventure

PC · PlayStation · Xbox

MysteriousExploratoryDiscovery-Driven+14

9.8

SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE

Action · Adventure

PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PC · Stadia

Ninja / SamuraiMartial ArtsAncient / Historical+1

IntenseChallengingBrutal+3

9.8

Community

8.6

1 rating

Dark Souls

Action RPG · Adventure

PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360 · Microsoft Windows · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch

Dark FantasyPost-ApocalypticMonsters+1

MysteriousDarkChallenging+3

9.8

Celeste

Platformer · Adventure

Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S · PC · macOS · Linux · Google Stadia

Psychological

ChallengingPrecision-FocusedEmotional+3

9.7

Balatro

Strategy

PC · Mac · Android · iOS · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X|S · Nintendo Switch

ModernSurreal

StrategicAddictiveSatisfying+2

9.7

Resident Evil 2 (1998)

Action · Adventure · Horror

PlayStation · PC · Nintendo 64 · Dreamcast · GameCube · PSP · PlayStation 3 · PS Vita

ZombiesPost-ApocalypticPsychological+1

CreepyTenseAtmospheric+3

9.7

RimWorld

Simulation · Strategy

Windows · macOS · Linux · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One

Sci-FiSpaceNature / Wilderness+1

Open-EndedChaoticChallenging+3

9.7

Dwarf Fortress

Simulation · Strategy · Adventure

PC · Linux · Macintosh

FantasyHigh FantasyNature / Wilderness

ChallengingBrutalUnforgiving+3

9.7

Project Zomboid

Survival · RPG · Simulation · Strategy

PC · macOS · Linux

Post-ApocalypticZombiesModern+1

ImmersiveTenseHigh-Stakes+3

9.7

Library Of Ruina

RPG · Strategy · Simulation

PC · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One

DystopianDark / GrimPsychological+1

DarkChallengingStrategic+3

9.7

Touhou 8: Imperishable Night

Shooter

PC

FantasyMythologyFolklore+1

IntenseFast-PacedChaotic+3

9.7

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Action · RPG · Action-Adventure

Windows · macOS · Linux · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · New Nintendo 3DS · Wii U · Xbox One · iOS · Nintendo Switch

Dark / GrimSurrealPsychological+1

CreepyDarkChallenging+3

9.7

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

Fighting

Arcade · Dreamcast · PlayStation 2 · Xbox · PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360

Martial ArtsModern

CompetitiveChallengingIntense+3

9.7

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

Action · Adventure · Platformer

Windows · macOS · Linux · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo 3DS · Wii U

FantasyMedieval

AdventurousChallengingPrecision-Focused+3