"challenging"

2022 · Action RPG · PC / Steam

Elden Ring took FromSoftware's demanding combat philosophy and dropped it into a vast open world that actually rewards exploration rather than punishing it. The freedom to choose your own path through the Lands Between means difficulty is partly self-regulated, making this the most approachable entry point to the Souls formula while still delivering the highs that veterans crave. Late-game balance issues and reused bosses dull the final stretch, but the first 60 or so hours represent some of the finest action RPG design ever put together. FromSoftware didn't just make their best game. They redefined what an open-world action RPG could feel like.

2016 · Action RPG · PC / Steam

Dark Souls III is the most polished and accessible entry in the trilogy, delivering combat that's faster and more responsive than its predecessors alongside some of the best boss encounters FromSoftware has ever designed. Its more linear structure and heavy reliance on callbacks to the original Dark Souls will bother players who value the open exploration that defined the first game. Both DLC expansions, especially The Ringed City, are essential additions that push the combat and level design to their peaks. As a finale to one of gaming's most influential trilogies, it sends things off with the kind of challenge and atmosphere that made the series matter in the first place.

2019 · Action-Adventure · PC / Steam

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice features the best combat system FromSoftware has ever built, a razor-sharp deflection mechanic that turns every boss fight into a duel you'll remember long after the credits roll. The lack of character builds, multiplayer, and difficulty options means it won't work for everyone, and replay value drops once you've mastered the system with no new weapons or playstyles to explore. But that singular focus is also what makes it special. FromSoftware bet everything on one sword, one moveset, and one very steep skill curve, and the result is a game that, once it clicks, makes every other action game's combat feel just a little bit slower.

2021 · Action RPG · PC / Steam

Nioh 2: Complete Edition is the refined version of Team Ninja's already excellent combat formula, adding Yokai abilities and a character creator to an action RPG that was already one of the most mechanically rich in the genre. The three-player co-op and three included DLC expansions make this the definitive package for players who want depth, challenge, and hundreds of hours of content. Its complexity will overwhelm some players, and the PC port launched with issues that still linger in spots, but for those who push through the learning curve, the payoff is extraordinary. This is one of the best action RPGs available on PC.

2024 · Action RPG · PC / Steam

Black Myth: Wukong delivers some of the most visually spectacular boss fights in the action RPG genre, backed by a combat system that rewards patience and precision. Its adaptation of Journey to the West brings a mythological setting that feels refreshingly distinct in a space crowded with European dark fantasy. Camera struggles during large-scale encounters and inconsistent PC optimization hold it back from true greatness, but the highs are high enough to make it one of 2024's most memorable releases. Game Science's debut is a statement of intent that lands more often than it misses.

2013 · Rhythm Platformer

Geometry Dash distills platforming down to a single tap and then builds an absurd amount of challenge, creativity, and community around that foundation. The frustration is real, and some players will bounce off the difficulty hard. But for those who lock in and push through, few mobile games deliver the same rush of finally clearing a level that took hundreds of attempts. A one-time purchase with no ads and no pay-to-win tricks, backed by over a decade of updates from a solo developer, this remains one of mobile gaming's most rewarding time investments.

2017 · Action RPG · PC / Steam

Nioh: Complete Edition packs Team Ninja's demanding samurai action RPG and all three DLC expansions into a single package that offers hundreds of hours of content for players willing to invest in its systems. The stance-based combat is faster and more technical than most games in the genre, and the loot system adds a layer of build crafting that keeps progression rewarding well into the endgame. Level design stumbles and late-game repetition prevent it from reaching the peaks of its best fights, but the combat alone makes it essential for anyone who wants their action RPGs sharp and unforgiving. It's a rougher experience than its sequel, but the foundation it laid is remarkable.

2023 · Action RPG · PC / Steam

Lies of P is the strongest non-FromSoftware entry in the soulslike genre, and it earns that distinction through sheer commitment to its own identity. The Belle Epoque steampunk setting is gorgeous, the weapon assembly system adds real creativity to builds, and the boss fights will test even experienced players. Some of those bosses push past challenging into frustrating, and the story doesn't quite stick the landing on every thread it weaves. But Round8 Studio built something that stands next to the games it draws inspiration from without looking like a shadow, and that's an achievement very few studios have managed.

2020 · Action RPG · PC / Steam

Mortal Shell is a focused, atmospheric take on the souls-like formula built by a team of roughly 15 people, and the ambition shows in both its best ideas and its limitations. The Harden mechanic is a smart and original addition to the genre's defensive toolkit, and the visual design punches far above what you'd expect from a studio this small. Limited weapon variety, a short runtime, and enemies that don't always match the quality of the game's systems keep it from standing shoulder to shoulder with the genre's heavyweights. It works best as a proof of concept, one that demonstrates real talent and leaves you wanting to see what Cold Symmetry does next.