Best Difficult Games on Steam
Steam currently has 9,285 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 7/29/2026.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free difficult games on Steam
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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 309,136 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 302,949 positive reviews and 6,187 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. 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 #2 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 27,047 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,760 positive reviews and 287 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 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Igara Studio |
| Steam App Id | 431730 |
3. Balatro
The poker roguelike. Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.
Balatro 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 199,310 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 194,997 positive reviews and 4,313 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 | 2/20/2024 |
| Franchise | Playstack |
| Developer | LocalThunk |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2379780 |
4. Pizza Tower
Pizza Tower is a fast paced 2D platformer, 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 #4 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 72,816 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 71,563 positive reviews and 1,253 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 |
5. Helltaker
Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.
Helltaker 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 128,247 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 125,268 positive reviews and 2,979 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).
6. 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 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 218,784 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 213,227 positive reviews and 5,557 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $6.24 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 | $6.24 |
| Release Date | 1/23/2019 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 646570 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 76,171 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 74,580 positive reviews and 1,591 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $8.99 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 | $8.99 |
| Release Date | 4/18/2019 |
| Developer | Askiisoft |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 460950 |
8. ULTRAKILL
ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultra-violent retro FPS that combines the skill-based style scoring of character action games with the unadulterated carnage inspired by the best shooters of the '90s. Rip apart your foes with varied destructive weaponry and shower in their blood to regain your health.
ULTRAKILL 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 245,434 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 238,925 positive reviews and 6,509 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 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 | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 9/3/2020 |
| Franchise | New Blood Interactive |
| Developer | Arsi "Hakita" Patala |
| Publisher | New Blood Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 1229490 |
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 395,784 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 384,625 positive reviews and 11,159 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 | 12/17/2018 |
| Franchise | Ninja Kiwi Games |
| Developer | Ninja Kiwi |
| Publisher | Ninja Kiwi |
| Steam App Id | 960090 |
10. Chants of Sennaar
In this award-winning puzzle adventure game, play as the Traveler on a quest to reunite the Peoples of the Tower. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the Myth of Babel.
Chants of Sennaar 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 35,062 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,445 positive reviews and 617 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 | 9/5/2023 |
| Franchise | Focus Entertainment |
| Developer | Rundisc |
| Publisher | Focus Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 1931770 |
More Difficult Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Difficult games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,613 | 9/17/2020 | 97 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 6,030 | 2/22/2016 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 7,219 | 2/20/2024 | 97 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 134 | 1/26/2023 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 64 | 5/11/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 5,395 | 1/23/2019 | 96 | $6.24 | Steam Charts | |
| 98 | 4/18/2019 | 96 | $8.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 3,498 | 9/3/2020 | 96 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 8,398 | 12/17/2018 | 96 | $4.89 | Steam Charts | |
| 239 | 9/5/2023 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 19,105 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,558 | 1/25/2018 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 5,851 | 2/24/2017 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 84 | 12/6/2025 | 96 | $15.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 18,936 | 11/4/2014 | 96 | $11.24 | Steam Charts | |
 | 3,126 | 1/24/2019 | 96 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,843 | 8/20/2024 | 96 | $59.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,686 | 8/6/2018 | 96 | $12.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 256 | 8/8/2013 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 32 | 3/29/2022 | 96 | $19.99 | 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. (2026, July 29). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, July 29). Hades on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, June 21). Aseprite on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, September 20). Balatro on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, July 11). Pizza Tower on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, May 18). Helltaker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, September 14). Slay the Spire on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, June 16). Katana ZERO on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, August 25). ULTRAKILL on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, October 1). Bloons TD 6 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, June 3). Chants of Sennaar on Steam. Steam Store.