Video games have always had a segment that prides itself on their difficulty. These games challenge the player to learn their ins and outs, master their mechanics, and perfect pixel-perfect maneuvers to overcome insurmountable obstacles. For many gamers, the feeling of beating one of these games is why they play.
It provides a very real sense of accomplishment and achievement, not to mention bragging rights. But not all games that go for extreme difficulty meet the mark. Sometimes games feel pointlessly difficult, stealing a player's victory by some unknown error at the last moment. There are some key and subtle differences that separate the great games from the needlessly obtuse.
10 Gameplay That Is Satisfying In And Of Itself
Playing the same level over and over again is going to be a lot more enjoyable for the player if the act of playing the game is itself fun. Movement, attacks, and environmental interaction all contribute to the player's ability to have fun while playing.
If these actions are not enjoyable for mechanical, visual, or story reasons, the fact that they become repetitive will quickly grind on a player's nerves. A game needs to be fun to play on the first and also the hundredth try.
9 Rewards That Feel Worthwhile
Overcoming a challenge is only worth whatever is on the other side, meaning a reward. This reward need not be mechanical, though a great upgrade or new attack is always a welcome sight at the end of a difficult level. Often, advancing to the next story beat is enough to provide players with a sense that their struggles have been worth it.
The reward need not even be diegetic, with new songs for the soundtrack or hidden collectibles also being popular motivators. It's when these rewards fall flat that a game feels cheap.
8 A Willingness To Relent & Give Players A Breather
Any challenging game worth its salt knows when to let up. If the player is being put through a constant cycle of being knocked down again and again with no room to breathe, they become desensitized and stop caring.
It is games with a proper and satisfying rhythm that make the challenge feel worth it. A player should be able to feel at rest during certain portions of the game, allowing them to prepare for the next task that lies ahead.
7 An Engaging Atmosphere Rather Than A Punishing One
In addition to being fun to play, a game that asks a lot of its players should be enjoyable to be in for long periods of time. This can come in many different flavors for different genres, from pleasant and relaxing to dark and frightening.
A game shouldn't be uncomfortable to be in— unless of course that's the point of the environment, which is a kind of enjoyable in and of itself. No matter what tone the game shoots for, it should be one that has the player enjoying it for the entirety of the game's duration.
6 Not Having Checkpoints That Are Needlessly Spaced Out
Replaying sections after failure is a staple of gaming, and happens even more in games that amp up the difficulty. But this feature can be overdone and feel like a way to artificially pad run times.
A truly satisfying challenging game needs to be broken up into reasonable chunks in order to provide a real sense of accomplishment. Exactly what that looks like is very flexible and can work in a variety of ways, but it should always contribute to a real feeling of accomplishment and forward momentum.
5 Proper Instruction On The Game Mechanics
To overcome a challenge properly, a player needs to be taught their tools. This instruction can come in many forms, whether a detailed tutorial or a trial-and-error system.
However the game chooses to demonstrate its mechanics, the process has to be sufficient enough that players feel confident in the resources at their disposal when they face whatever the game has to throw at them. There is nothing worse than struggling with a level for hours before discovering a previously unknown ability that makes the whole thing trivial.
4 Letting Players Go Off & Do Other Things Before Returning To A Challenging Section
Sometimes what a player needs to really overcome a difficult challenge is a break. The opportunity to do a different level, pursue a side quest, or attempt a different area can be a perfect change of pace that allows them to clear their mind while keeping the game's controls fresh in their fingers.
This can also come in the form of different paths through a single area utilizing different mechanics within the game. Variety keeps challenges fresh and lets players expand their skills while still moving forward.
3 A Respect For The Player's Time
Players who decide to tackle challenging games are investing a significant portion of their leisure time in experiencing something set forward for them by a designer. If the player can feel that the designer is welcoming them, encouraging their efforts, and congratulating them on their successes, the overall experience will be much more satisfying.
It can be hard to quantify exactly what makes a game feel respectful of the player's time, but it is an indispensable ingredient in the difficult game formula.
2 Tight Controls That Don't Work Against The Player
One of the most important aspects of a challenging game is also one of the simplest: Good controls. A player must feel confident that every action they take is entirely in their control. This way, every failure feels like one they can improve on in their next attempt.
If a game's controls get muddy or inconsistent, a player can begin to blame mistakes on the game, even if it's not always true. Without the security of knowing that every second of the run is under their control, the player quickly loses a personal investment.
1 A Supportive Community
One of the biggest factors in whether a game feels challenging in a good way or simply cheap and difficult is the presence of a strong community. Seeking out other players' strategies and advice for difficult sections is both encouraging and affirming, as it lets players know they aren't alone.
Yes, that level really is that difficult, but it is possible with time and practice. Forums, YouTube walkthroughs, and press coverage help players know they're walking a path with thousands of others just like them.