Best Difficult Games on Steam
Steam currently has 6,613 Difficult games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Difficult game rankings were last updated on 5/16/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free difficult games on Steam
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- Free Steam games
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1. Hades
Defy the god of the dead as you hack and slash out of the Underworld in this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre.
Hades holds the #1 spot for "best Difficult game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 256,534 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 252,391 positive reviews and 4,143 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $24.99 |
| Release Date | 9/17/2020 |
| Franchise | Supergiant Games |
| Developer | Supergiant Games |
| Publisher | Supergiant Games |
| Steam App Id | 1145360 |
2. Pizza Tower
Pizza Tower is a fast paced 2D platformer inspired by the Wario Land series, with an emphasis on movement, exploration and score attack. Featuring highly stylized pixel art inspired by the cartoons from the '90s, and a highly energetic soundtrack.
Pizza Tower has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 57,846 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 56,983 positive reviews and 863 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 1/26/2023 |
| Developer | Tour De Pizza |
| Publisher | Tour De Pizza |
| Steam App Id | 2231450 |
3. 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!
Slay the Spire has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 155,594 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 152,258 positive reviews and 3,336 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $8.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $8.49 |
| Release Date | 1/23/2019 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 646570 |
4. Aseprite
Aseprite is a pixel-art tool to create 2D animations, sprites, and any kind of graphics for games.
Aseprite has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,463 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17,309 positive reviews and 154 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Aseprite on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 2/22/2016 |
| Developer | David Capello |
| Publisher | Igara Studio |
| Steam App Id | 431730 |
5. ULTRAKILL
ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultraviolent retro FPS combining the skill-based style scoring from character action games with unadulterated carnage inspired by the best shooters of the '90s. Rip apart your foes with varied destructive weapons and shower in their blood to regain your health.
ULTRAKILL has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 112,613 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 110,278 positive reviews and 2,335 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $24.99 |
| Release Date | 9/3/2020 |
| Franchise | New Blood Interactive |
| Developer | Arsi "Hakita" Patala |
| Publisher | New Blood Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 1229490 |
6. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 287,079 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 280,008 positive reviews and 7,071 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 11/4/2014 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Nicalis, Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 250900 |
7. Helltaker
Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.
Helltaker has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 118,169 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 115,566 positive reviews and 2,603 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Helltaker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
8. Katana ZERO
Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.
Katana ZERO has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 64,805 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 63,551 positive reviews and 1,254 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 4/18/2019 |
| Developer | Askiisoft |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 460950 |
9. Bloons TD 6
The Bloons are back and better than ever! Get ready for a massive 3D tower defense game designed to give you hours and hours of the best strategy gaming available.
Bloons TD 6 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 307,551 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 299,433 positive reviews and 8,118 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.89 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Bloons TD 6 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.89 |
| Release Date | 12/18/2018 |
| Franchise | Ninja Kiwi Games |
| Developer | Ninja Kiwi |
| Publisher | Ninja Kiwi |
| Steam App Id | 960090 |
10. Hollow Knight
Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.
Hollow Knight has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 349,267 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 339,265 positive reviews and 10,002 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 2/24/2017 |
| Developer | Team Cherry |
| Publisher | Team Cherry |
| Steam App Id | 367520 |
More Difficult Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Difficult games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 17,451 | 9/17/2020 | 97 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 954 | 1/26/2023 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 9,175 | 1/23/2019 | 97 | $8.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,085 | 2/22/2016 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,898 | 9/3/2020 | 96 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 11,436 | 11/4/2014 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 80 | 5/11/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 269 | 4/18/2019 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 13,159 | 12/18/2018 | 96 | $4.89 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,613 | 2/24/2017 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,238 | 1/25/2018 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 43 | 2/26/2021 | 96 | $15.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 25,048 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,265 | 8/6/2018 | 96 | $12.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 531 | 10/23/2012 | 96 | $1.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 243 | 9/5/2023 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,038 | 1/25/2019 | 96 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 507 | 8/8/2013 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 54 | 6/7/2023 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 156 | 3/13/2019 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Hades on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 7). Pizza Tower on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Slay the Spire on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 5). Aseprite on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). ULTRAKILL on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 1). Helltaker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 25). Katana ZERO on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Bloons TD 6 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 24). Hollow Knight on Steam. Steam Store.