Discounted Difficult games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated difficult games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free difficult games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Devil May Cry 5
The ultimate Devil Hunter is back in style, in the game action fans have been waiting for.
CASE 2: Animatronics Survival
CASE 2: Animatronics Survival is a horror game that is available in two modes. Online mode lets one or more players take on the role of animatronics, ready to crush everyone and everything. The other three are survivors. How did this happen? You’ll have to find out!
The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia
Dodge bullets while typing exorcisms at the very same time: Get ready for an electrifying mix between bullet hell and typing game! Turn on both sides of your brain and jump into the adventure of private exorcist Ray Bibbia!
Lovecraft's Untold Stories
Lovecraft’s Untold Stories is an action roguelite with RPG elements. Explore randomly generated levels based in Lovecraft's stories, fight cultists and all kinds of monsters from the Mythos, improve your gear, solve puzzles, and find clues and knowledge to defeat the Great Old Ones.
Slay the Spire
We fused card games and roguelikes together to make the best single player deckbuilder we could. Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!
The Hong Kong Massacre
Blast your way through the streets of Hong Kong in a fast-paced, top-down shooter. Inspired by classic action movies, The Hong Kong Massacre places you at the center of a hard-boiled revenge story, filled with brutal, cinematic shootouts and vivid underworld locations.
Catherine Classic
Catherine: a tale of love, betrayal, and the terror of commitment. Experience the mature action-adventure-puzzle game unlike any other from the makers of the Persona series, now enhanced for PC in all its Classic glory. Is love over? Climb to the top or die trying.
Insurgency: Sandstorm
Insurgency: Sandstorm is a team-based, tactical FPS based on lethal close quarters combat and objective-oriented multiplayer gameplay. Experience the intensity of modern combat where skill is rewarded, and teamwork wins the fight.
Katamari Damacy REROLL
The beloved roll-em-up game returns with fully updated graphics, completely recreated cutscenes and in full HD!
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
A tactical game combining the turn-based combat of XCOM with story, exploration, stealth, and strategy. Take control of a team of Mutants navigating a post-human Earth. Created by a team including former HITMAN leads and the designer of PAYDAY.
Darksiders III
Return to an apocalyptic Earth in Darksiders III, a hack-n-slash Action Adventure where players assume the role of FURY in her quest to hunt down and dispose of the Seven Deadly Sins. The most enigmatic of the Four Horsemen, FURY must bring balance to the forces that now ravage Earth.
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
MECHANICUS II ANNOUNCED! Take control of one of the most technologically advanced factions in the Imperium: the Adeptus Mechanicus. In this turn-based tactical game, your every decision will weigh heavily on the outcome of the conflict. Will you be blessed by the Omnissiah?
My Big Sister
My name is Luzia...and this story isn't about me, it’s about my sister. Do you still wish to hear it?
DOKA 2 KISHKI EDITION
DOKA 2 KISHKI EDITION is a game where you kill zombies, or you yourself are zombies, this is a game where you kill in the most sophisticated ways of people, that is, there you can come up with a certain area. Thank you for my rock childhood.
Party Hard 2
It's 3am and you just want to get some sleep. Welcome back to Party Hard! Stop parties using hundreds of new ways, incidentally destroy a drug syndicate, and save the Earth from an alien invasion. May the chickens be with you!
Touhou Genso Wanderer -Reloaded-
Based on the "Touhou Project" world, Touhou Genso Wanderer -Reloaded- is an addictive roguelike RPG that's easy for beginners to pickup and play, but with tons of advanced options for pros! Explore dungeons with your Touhou favorites characters, collect loot, and battle over the Golden Spheres!
SINNER: Sacrifice for Redemption
Sinner: Sacrifice for Redemption is a boss battler action-RPG. Face eight abhorrent bosses, the first seven each based on one of the deadly sins. Before each epic clash, you must sacrifice a stat and level down to enter combat. Each fight will be tougher than the last as you wage war against sin itself.
Reigns: Game of Thrones
Reigns: Game of Thrones is the heir to the award-winning HBO® TV series Game of Thrones® and the smash-hit swipe ‘em up series Reigns from Nerial and Devolver Digital.
Terraforming Mars
The taming of the Red Planet has begun! Corporations are competing to transform Mars into a habitable planet by spending vast resources and using innovative technology to raise temperature, create a breathable atmosphere, and make oceans of water.
The MISSING: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories
J.J. scours Memoria Island to find her best friend, who has gone missing during a camping trip. In order to save her best friend, she puts her own body and life on the line, reviving infinitely, as she presses forward. Why did she go missing? What is going on in this world?
Mashinky
Mashinky is a transport strategy game about trains. The goal is to create your own transport empire on a procedurally generated map. It’s a unique blend of realistic graphics combined with an isometric construction mode and board game-like rules.Most played difficult games on Steam
Take a look at the top difficult games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 16th 2025.
1. ELDEN RING
THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FANTASY ACTION RPG. Rise, Tarnished, and be guided by grace to brandish the power of the Elden Ring and become an Elden Lord in the Lands Between. ELDEN RING is a souls-like, open world and dark fantasy game developed by FromSoftware and Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware and Inc.. Released on February 24th 2022 has received 1,041,494 reviews of which 967,131 were positive and 74,363 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played difficult game, thanks to its 27,972 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.2
967,131
74,363
27,972
players
2. Geometry Dash
Jump and fly your way through danger in this rhythm-based action platformer! Geometry Dash is a difficult, music and level editor game developed and published by RobTop Games. Released on December 22nd 2014 has received 410,026 reviews of which 383,002 were positive and 27,024 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. While seeing 17,188 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among difficult games based on player count.
9.3
383,002
27,024
17,188
players
3. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a randomly generated action RPG shooter with heavy Rogue-like elements. Following Isaac on his journey players will find bizarre treasures that change Isaac’s form giving him super human abilities and enabling him to fight off droves of mysterious creatures, discover secrets and fight his way to safety. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a action roguelike, rogue-like and indie game developed by Nicalis, Inc. and Edmund McMillen and published by Nicalis and Inc.. Released on November 04th 2014 has received 337,547 reviews of which 328,601 were positive and 8,946 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. While seeing 15,354 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among difficult games based on player count.
9.6
328,601
8,946
15,354
players
4. The First Berserker: Khazan
The First Berserker: Khazan is a hardcore action role-playing game. The player will become Khazan, the great general of the Pell Los Empire, who overcame death, and sets out to reveal the incidents that led to his downfall and seek vengeance on his enemies. The First Berserker: Khazan is a souls-like, difficult and hack and slash game developed by Neople and published by NEXON. Released on March 27th 2025 has received 12,463 reviews of which 11,320 were positive and 1,143 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. With 7,432 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played difficult games.
8.8
11,320
1,143
7,432
players
5. Devil May Cry HD Collection
The popular stylish action games Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2, and Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition return in one collection! Devil May Cry HD Collection is a action, hack and slash and great soundtrack game developed and published by CAPCOM Co. and Ltd.. Released on March 13th 2018 has received 14,375 reviews of which 13,257 were positive and 1,118 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 5,411 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played difficult games.
9.0
13,257
1,118
5,411
players
6. DARK SOULS™ III
Dark Souls continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. Prepare yourself and Embrace The Darkness! DARK SOULS™ III is a souls-like, dark fantasy and difficult game developed by FromSoftware and Inc. and published by FromSoftware, Inc. and Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on April 11th 2016 has received 408,738 reviews of which 385,520 were positive and 23,218 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 3,825 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played difficult games.
9.3
385,520
23,218
3,825
players
7. DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED
Then, there was fire. Re-experience the critically acclaimed, genre-defining game that started it all. Beautifully remastered, return to Lordran in stunning high-definition detail running at 60fps. DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED is a souls-like, dark fantasy and rpg game developed by QLOC, FromSoftware and Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, FromSoftware and Inc.. Released on May 23rd 2018 has received 124,783 reviews of which 114,933 were positive and 9,850 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 2,714 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played difficult games.
9.1
114,933
9,850
2,714
players
8. Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
Game of the Year - The Game Awards 2019 Best Action Game of 2019 - IGN Carve your own clever path to vengeance in the award winning adventure from developer FromSoftware, creators of Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series. Take Revenge. Restore Your Honor. Kill Ingeniously. Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition is a souls-like, difficult and action game developed by FromSoftware and Inc. and published by Activision (Excluding Japan and Asia), 方块游戏 (Asia), FromSoftware and Inc. (Japan). Released on March 21st 2019 has received 317,913 reviews of which 302,924 were positive and 14,989 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 2,183 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played difficult games.
9.4
302,924
14,989
2,183
players
9. Rain World
You are a nomadic slugcat, both predator and prey in a broken ecosystem. Grab your spear and brave the industrial wastes, hunting enough food to survive, but be wary— other, bigger creatures have the same plan... and slugcats look delicious. Rain World is a difficult, atmospheric and survival game developed by Videocult and published by Akupara Games. Released on March 28th 2017 has received 40,460 reviews of which 38,104 were positive and 2,356 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 1,898 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played difficult games.
9.2
38,104
2,356
1,898
players
10. Noita
Noita is a magical action roguelite set in a world where every pixel is physically simulated. Fight, explore, melt, burn, freeze and evaporate your way through the procedurally generated world using spells you've created yourself. Noita is a physics, rogue-like and pixel graphics game developed and published by Nolla Games. Released on October 15th 2020 has received 77,164 reviews of which 73,491 were positive and 3,673 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. With 1,784 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played difficult games.
9.4
73,491
3,673
1,784
players
Best deals on difficult games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of difficult games available on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted difficult games.
1. Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
Cook, serve and manage your food truck as you dish out hundreds of different foods across war-torn America in this massive sequel to the million-selling series! Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! is a typing, management and difficult game developed and published by Vertigo Gaming Inc.. Released on October 14th 2020 has received 2,135 reviews of which 1,942 were positive and 193 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Featuring a massive 94% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for difficult category.
8.7
1,942
193
-94%
16.67€
1.00€
2. Banners of Ruin
Assemble your party. Answer the call. Win the war. Build a deck and fight a series of turn-based combats with up to 6 party characters through the city of Dawn's Point. Each character can unlock a set of unique cards and abilities that can augment your deck in powerful, exciting ways. Banners of Ruin is a roguelike deckbuilder, rogue-like and card battler game developed by MonteBearo and published by Goblinz Publishing and Maple Whispering Limited. Released on July 29th 2021 has received 3,028 reviews of which 2,399 were positive and 629 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in difficult games.
7.7
2,399
629
-94%
16.67€
1.00€
3. Fury Unleashed
Shoot your way through the pages of an ever-changing comic book in this fast-paced roguelike. Play solo, in local or online co-op, expand your weaponry, and upgrade your hero with each run. All that to find out why has your creator lost his faith in you and to prove him wrong. Fury Unleashed is a replay value, rogue-like and fast-paced game developed and published by Awesome Games Studio. Released on May 08th 2020 has received 2,601 reviews of which 2,287 were positive and 314 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 93% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in difficult games.
8.4
2,287
314
-93%
19.71€
1.38€
4. Hot Brass
As an elite SWAT operator, think fast and put your tactics to the test to master a series of missions and save lives. Summon your team of up to four players in online and local co-op, or hone your skills solo. Don’t just be the best—be the best of the best. Hot Brass is a real time tactics, stealth and crime game developed by Walk with Kings and published by Treasure Hunters FanClub. Released on February 26th 2021 has received 641 reviews of which 485 were positive and 156 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 93% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for difficult games.
7.2
485
156
-93%
14.29€
1.00€
5. The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia
Dodge bullets while typing exorcisms at the very same time: Get ready for an electrifying mix between bullet hell and typing game! Turn on both sides of your brain and jump into the adventure of private exorcist Ray Bibbia! The Textorcist: The Story of Ray Bibbia is a indie, action and bullet hell game developed by MorbidWare and published by Headup. Released on February 14th 2019 has received 1,479 reviews of which 1,217 were positive and 262 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 91% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for difficult games.
7.9
1,217
262
-91%
14.22€
1.28€
6. Cook, Serve, Delicious!
One of the few hardcore restaurant sims in existence, Cook, Serve, Delicious! is a deceptively easy game to learn but incredibly challenging to master as you progress through your career from owning a terrible zero star cafe into a five star world famous restaurant. Cook, Serve, Delicious! is a indie, time management and typing game developed and published by Vertigo Gaming Inc.. Released on October 08th 2013 has received 5,597 reviews of which 5,290 were positive and 307 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for difficult games.
9.1
5,290
307
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
7. GRIME
Destroy... Absorb... Grow... GRIME is a fast and unforgiving Action-Adventure RPG in which you crush your foes with living weapons that mutate form and function, and then consume their remains with a black hole to strengthen your vessel as you break apart a world of anatomical horror and intrigue. GRIME is a metroidvania, souls-like and platformer game developed by Clover Bite and published by Akupara Games. Released on August 02nd 2021 has received 5,610 reviews of which 4,800 were positive and 810 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for difficult games.
8.3
4,800
810
-90%
21.30€
2.13€
8. Atomik: RunGunJumpGun
Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is a tough as nails game that puts a gravity-defying weapon in your hands. One button lets you fly, the other blasts obstacles out of the way. With a cast of crazed characters, challenging gameplay, and a pulsing musical score, it delivers twitchy platforming goodness. Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is a action, indie and pixel graphics game developed by ThirtyThree and published by Good Shepherd Entertainment. Released on August 31st 2016 has received 314 reviews of which 271 were positive and 43 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for difficult games.
8.0
271
43
-90%
7.99€
0.79€
9. Slime-san: Superslime Edition
Slime-san was minding his own business when suddenly… A giant worm appeared and gobbled him up! Deep within the worm’s belly, Slime-san has to face a decision: Be digested by the incoming wall of stomach acid... Or jump, slide and slime his way through the worm and back out its mouth! Slime-san: Superslime Edition is a platformer, precision platformer and 2d platformer game developed by Fabraz and published by Headup. Released on April 07th 2017 has received 314 reviews of which 267 were positive and 47 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for difficult games.
7.9
267
47
-90%
14.99€
1.49€
10. 10 Second Ninja X
10 SECOND NINJA X is a hardcore sidescroller. You're a ninja, there are robots, you've got ten seconds to destroy them all. Get three star ratings, climb leaderboards, discover secrets and stop Captain Greatbeard. 10 Second Ninja X is a action, indie and platformer game developed by Four Circle Interactive and published by Curve Games. Released on July 19th 2016 has received 3,165 reviews of which 2,480 were positive and 685 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for difficult games.
7.6
2,480
685
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
Free difficult games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play difficult games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 16th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play difficult games.
1. Tricking 0
Tricking 0 is a physics-based flipping game that lets you perform tricking combos, parkour lines, and cliff jumps with full control. With an intuitive Flick-It system, seamless transitions, and active ragdoll physics, it delivers the thrill of extreme movement sports, but without risking your neck Tricking 0 is a sports, martial arts and difficult game developed and published by Charles Couprie. Released on March 31st 2022 has received 533 reviews of which 418 were positive and 115 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #1 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
7.4
418
115
35
players
2. NETHER DUNGEONS
Nether Dungeons is an action-packed dungeon crawler. Battle through procedurally generated dungeons, face relentless enemies, and defeat epic bosses. Customize your hero, wield diverse weapons, and survive intense challenges as you descend into ever-changing, dangerous depths. NETHER DUNGEONS is a action roguelike, dungeon crawler and roguelite game developed and published by Arakuma Studio. Released on November 15th 2024 has received 344 reviews of which 297 were positive and 47 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #2 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
8.0
297
47
15
players
3. Never Split the Party
Never Split the Party is an ultra social rogue-like! You're one of four adventurers joining together to explore a procedurally generated dungeon, amass powerful upgrades, and cooperate with your fellow adventures to conquer and crush the evil dungeon champions! Never Split the Party is a action roguelike, rogue-like and indie game developed and published by Legend Studio. Released on May 03rd 2019 has received 4,327 reviews of which 3,311 were positive and 1,016 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
7.4
3,311
1,016
6
players
4. MuseSwipr
A rhythm game where you swipe between two lanes to the beat. Form your own flow and unleash your greatest swiping performance. MuseSwipr is a rhythm, music and difficult game developed and published by Kartsu and Erkfir. Released on December 20th 2022 has received 650 reviews of which 558 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
8.1
558
92
5
players
5. The Hardest Game Ever
An insanely difficult precision platformer The Hardest Game Ever is a difficult, precision platformer and adventure game developed by Cupflow Studios and AIAdev and published by AIAdev. Released on September 14th 2023 has received 346 reviews of which 272 were positive and 74 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
7.4
272
74
4
players
6. OLDTV
Can you think twice in under a second? OLDTV is a free to play, great soundtrack and fast-paced game developed and published by Creability. Released on July 15th 2017 has received 5,429 reviews of which 5,137 were positive and 292 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
9.1
5,137
292
3
players
7. Eraser
Throw your stick-figure-self at cannonballs and airplanes in an upward pursuit of the eraser! Play cooperatively online to share the journey! Who's to say whether the company will help or hinder, though... Eraser is a 3d platformer, difficult and online co-op game developed and published by Ringating. Released on December 15th 2021 has received 3,339 reviews of which 2,789 were positive and 550 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
8.1
2,789
550
3
players
8. SCP: Observer
SCP: Observer is a frightening experience in which you'll play the role of a maintenance engineer trapped inside a security room. Survive by managing the emergency power supply, monitoring the facility's camera system for threats and blocking the paths of oncoming horrors. SCP: Observer is a resource management, horror and survival horror game developed by and published by GetMyIsland. Released on April 25th 2023 has received 564 reviews of which 522 were positive and 42 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
8.6
522
42
2
players
9. Notanote
Welcome to Notanote！ Notanote is a casual, rhythm and music game developed and published by zzzProject. Released on February 13th 2024 has received 770 reviews of which 676 were positive and 94 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
8.3
676
94
2
players
10. Micro Platformer
A minimalistic platformer with a 1x1 tileset. No enemies, no bullets, no lasers. Just sheer platforming. Micro Platformer is a precision platformer, difficult and minimalist game developed and published by Daveyyy. Released on April 21st 2020 has received 1,702 reviews of which 1,646 were positive and 56 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free difficult games on Steam.
9.2
1,646
56