Best Unforgiving Games on Steam
Steam currently has 211 Unforgiving 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. Unforgiving game rankings were last updated on 1/8/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
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1. Will You Snail?
A unique platformer where an evil AI predicts your movement. Dodge AI-spawned traps, solve optional puzzles and uncover the dark secrets of the simulation. Now with a level editor and infinite community-made content!
Will You Snail? holds the #1 spot for "best Unforgiving game on Steam" with a Player Score of 93. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,694 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,625 positive reviews and 69 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $10.99 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 | $10.99 |
| Release Date | 3/9/2022 |
| Developer | Jonas Tyroller |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1115050 |
2. Super Meat Boy
The infamous, tough-as-nails platformer comes to Steam with a playable Head Crab character (Steam-exclusive)!
Super Meat Boy has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,094 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 33,196 positive reviews and 1,898 negative reviews — making it "Very 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 | 11/30/2010 |
| Developer | Team Meat |
| Steam App Id | 40800 |
3. XCOM: Enemy Unknown
The XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Slingshot Pack is Now Available!
XCOM: Enemy Unknown has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 55,731 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 52,116 positive reviews and 3,615 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play XCOM: Enemy Unknown on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 10/11/2012 |
| Franchise | XCOM Franchise |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 200510 |
4. X-COM: UFO Defense
You are in control of X-COM: an organization formed by the world's governments to fight the ever-increasing alien menace.
X-COM: UFO Defense has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,734 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,538 positive reviews and 196 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run X-COM: UFO Defense on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 9/4/2008 |
| Franchise | XCOM Franchise |
| Developer | MicroProse Software, Inc |
| Publisher | 2K |
| Steam App Id | 7760 |
5. XENOTILT: HOSTILE PINBALL ACTION
LIGHTNING STRIKES AGAIN!! XENOTILT, the sequel to the cult hit, DEMON'S TILT. Get ready for another PINBALL FANTASY. XENOTILT shreds the envelope with face-melting gameplay & graphics.
XENOTILT: HOSTILE PINBALL ACTION has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 560 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 544 positive reviews and 16 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 | 11/12/2024 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | FLARB LLC |
| Steam App Id | 2008980 |
6. DARK SOULS™: Prepare To Die™ Edition
Dark Souls will be the most deeply challenging game you play this year. Can you live through a million deaths and earn your legacy?
DARK SOULS™: Prepare To Die™ Edition has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 77,932 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 71,285 positive reviews and 6,647 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run DARK SOULS™: Prepare To Die™ Edition on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 8/24/2012 |
| Developer | FromSoftware Inc. |
| Publisher | BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 211420 |
7. Blasphemous 2
The Penitent One awakens as Blasphemous 2 joins him once again in an endless struggle against The Miracle. Dive into a perilous new world filled with mysteries and secrets to discover, and tear your way through monstrous foes that stand between you and your quest to end the cycle once and for all.
Blasphemous 2 has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,677 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,663 positive reviews and 1,014 negative reviews — making it "Very 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 | 8/24/2023 |
| Franchise | Team17 Digital |
| Developer | The Game Kitchen |
| Publisher | Team17 |
| Steam App Id | 2114740 |
8. WORLD OF HORROR
Experience the quiet terror of this 1-bit love letter to Junji Ito and H.P. Lovecraft. Navigate a hellish roguelite reality with turn-based combat and unforgiving choices. Experiment with your deck of event cards to discover new forms of cosmic horror in every playthrough. The inevitable awaits...
WORLD OF HORROR has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,212 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,497 positive reviews and 715 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 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.
9. DEMON'S TILT
TURBO CHARGED PINBALL RETURNS! Now with bigger sprites, more baddies, more secrets & MORE BULLETS! Demon's Tilt pushes the limits of the Video Pinball genre with SHMUP & Hack N' Slash elements.
DEMON'S TILT has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 887 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 836 positive reviews and 51 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 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 | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 12/13/2019 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | FLARB LLC |
| Steam App Id | 422510 |
10. Boson X
Boson X is a fast-paced rotational runner set in a particle accelerator.
Boson X has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Unforgiving games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,559 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,443 positive reviews and 116 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Boson X on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 9/15/2014 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Shape Shop |
| Steam App Id | 302610 |
More Unforgiving Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Unforgiving games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3/9/2022 | 93 | $10.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 80 | 11/30/2010 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 423 | 10/11/2012 | 92 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 46 | 9/4/2008 | 91 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 14 | 11/12/2024 | 90 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 149 | 8/24/2012 | 90 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
| 414 | 8/24/2023 | 90 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 33 | 10/19/2023 | 90 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 12/13/2019 | 89 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 9/15/2014 | 88 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 2/18/2016 | 87 | $3.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 213 | 4/25/2014 | 87 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 92 | 10/3/2024 | 86 | $16.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 2/24/2023 | 85 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 6/3/2021 | 84 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 324 | 11/28/2023 | 84 | $39.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 4/11/2023 | 84 | $3.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 7/23/2024 | 84 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 5/3/2024 | 83 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 4/6/2018 | 83 | $4.99 | 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. (2025, January 8). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 8). Will You Snail? on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 3). Super Meat Boy on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 2). XCOM: Enemy Unknown on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 2). X-COM: UFO Defense on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 19). XENOTILT: HOSTILE PINBALL ACTION on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, July 22). DARK SOULS™: Prepare To Die™ Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 17). Blasphemous 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 15). WORLD OF HORROR on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 14). DEMON'S TILT on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 7). Boson X on Steam. Steam Store.