A Guide to PlayStation’s Most Challenging Exclusives

7 December 2025

So, you’ve jumped into the world of PlayStation—or maybe you've been here for a while—and now you’re craving something a bit more intense. Not just a good story or gorgeous graphics… we’re talking about games that push your patience, skill, and sanity to the edge. You’re in luck (or maybe in for some pain), because PlayStation has a solid roster of brutally difficult exclusives that’ll test every fiber of your gaming reflexes.

Let's dive into the most challenging PlayStation exclusives—games that aren't just hard for the sake of being hard, but deliver satisfaction in the moments where you finally, finally get it right.

Why Do We Love Painfully Hard Games?

Before we get into the list, you might be wondering—why do people even put themselves through this? What's the thrill in dying over and over again to the same boss?

Well, it’s kinda like solving a puzzle or beating your personal best at the gym. It’s all about the challenge, baby. The sense of accomplishment from defeating a foe that had you raging for hours? Nothing else compares. It’s the gaming equivalent of climbing Everest—with less chance of frostbite but plenty of emotional damage.

Alright, let's get to the games that separate the button mashers from the true warriors.

1. Demon’s Souls (PS5 Remake)

If there was a game that kicked off the whole “tough but fair” trend, it’s the original Demon’s Souls. The PS5 remake by Bluepoint Games takes everything that made the original legendary and cranks it up with stunning visuals and better controls—but don’t get it twisted, it’s still absolutely punishing.

What Makes It Brutal?

- No hand-holding. The game drops you in with zero guidance.
- Enemies hit hard, and even basic ones can mess you up if you’re careless.
- Death is a feature, not a bug. Every mistake counts.

Pro Tip:

Patience is your best weapon. Rushing in will get you killed—repeatedly.

2. Bloodborne

FromSoftware really said, “You liked Demon’s Souls? Cool, now let’s make it faster, more aggressive, and way more gothic.” Bloodborne is a nightmare-fueled masterpiece that rewards aggressive play and punishes hesitation.

What Makes It Brutal?

- Faster combat leaves little room for error.
- Regaining health means striking back ASAP—no turtling.
- The bosses? Utter nightmares with even worse second phases.

Pro Tip:

Don’t get scared—get mad. Stay aggressive, keep the pressure up, and adapt. You’ll die, but you’ll learn.

3. Returnal

Imagine a bullet hell arcade shooter got a sci-fi, third-person roguelike makeover. That’s Returnal in a nutshell. Every run is different, every death resets your progress, and the learning curve is steeper than a mountain goat's hiking trail.

What Makes It Brutal?

- Procedurally generated levels = no memorizing enemy placements.
- One wrong move and it’s all back to square one.
- Reflexes, timing, and decision-making have to be on point.

Pro Tip:

Pick your upgrades wisely. Building synergy in your loadout can make or break a run.

4. Nioh & Nioh 2

Think Dark Souls, but throw in a load of samurai flavor, faster pacing, and a terrifying amount of skill trees. That’s what Nioh and Nioh 2 deliver. These games demand precise combat mechanics, tactical thinking, and adaptability.

What Makes It Brutal?

- Stamina (Ki) management is essential.
- Bosses are relentless and often have multiple phases.
- Tons of mechanics to master, like stance switching and Ki pulses.

Pro Tip:

Practice your timing and don’t ignore the training dojo—it’s not just fluff; it’ll save your life.

5. The Last of Us Part II (On Higher Difficulties)

Now, The Last of Us Part II on normal is already emotionally exhausting. But on the hardest settings? It becomes a survival nightmare. Limited resources, smarter enemies, and brutal stealth sections make this beautiful narrative hit way harder—literally.

What Makes It Brutal?

- One wrong noise and half the map’s hunting you.
- Crafting becomes a life-or-death priority.
- Enemies are ruthless and unpredictable.

Pro Tip:

Pick your battles. Sometimes sneaking past is way better than sticking around for a fight.

6. Ghost of Tsushima: Legends (Nightmare Difficulty)

While the base game is tough in its own right, it’s the multiplayer mode Legends where things escalate. The Nightmare difficulty will slap you around and then some.

What Makes It Brutal?

- Coordinated enemy waves that punish poor teamwork.
- Random modifiers that dramatically shift combat dynamics.
- You’re in this with others, so one weak link? You’re all going down.

Pro Tip:

Team synergy is everything. Know your role, communicate, and don’t try to solo.

7. Shadow of the Colossus (Hard Time Attack Mode)

You might be thinking, “This game’s mostly quiet moments and giant monsters, what’s the big deal?” Well, flip the difficulty up, jump into Time Attack mode, and suddenly the gorgeous landscapes turn into boss-fueled stress tests.

What Makes It Brutal?

- Each colossus becomes a timed puzzle.
- One slip and it’s game over.
- The controls are deliberately clunky, adding another layer of challenge.

Pro Tip:

Memorize their patterns and find the fastest routes. Efficiency is key.

8. Gran Turismo 7 (License Tests & Missions)

Hold up—racing games aren’t typically seen as hard, right? Wrong. Gran Turismo 7 brings back the classic License Tests and Mission Challenges that have frustrated players for decades.

What Makes It Brutal?

- Gold medals require pinpoint-perfect driving lines.
- The game expects technical precision.
- Even slight errors can mean failing a test.

Pro Tip:

Practice, practice, practice. These tests are about muscle memory and consistency.

9. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Challenge Mode)

This one might throw you off. Ratchet & Clank? A hard game? Well, once you finish the story and jump into Challenge Mode (New Game+ with tougher enemies and limited resources), you’ll start to feel the pressure.

What Makes It Brutal?

- Enemies hit harder and more frequently.
- You need to master weapon upgrades and combos.
- Speed and efficiency become your best friends.

Pro Tip:

Don’t spread your upgrades too thin. Pick a few weapons and max them out first.

10. God of War: Ragnarok (Give Me God of War Mode)

Kratos has never exactly had a chill day, but playing God of War: Ragnarok on the highest difficulty turns the game into a grueling test of patience and skill. Every encounter becomes a battle for survival.

What Makes It Brutal?

- Enemies scale heavily and adapt to your playstyle.
- Healing is scarce, mistakes are punished hard.
- Bosses become mini-epics in themselves.

Pro Tip:

Parry like your life depends on it—because it absolutely does.

Combat, Cameras, and Chaos: What Makes These Games So Tough?

If you’ve played even one of these games, you’ve probably screamed at a screen at some point. But what really makes these exclusives stand out in the difficulty department?

- Precision gameplay – They demand tight controls and punish sloppy play.
- Enemy AI – These games don’t let you cheese your way through (well, not easily).
- Risk vs Reward – Whether it’s resource management or combat style, every decision counts.
- Unique Mechanics – From stance changes to permadeath loops, these games all bring something fresh but challenging to the table.

Tips for Tackling Tough PlayStation Exclusives

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Here’s how to stay sane:

- 🔄 Practice makes better – You will die. You will retry. And then you'll get better.
- 🧠 Use your brain AND reflexes – Strategy often trumps brute force.
- 🎮 Learn the systems – Whether it’s stamina in Nioh or timing in GT7, master the core mechanic.
- 💪 Stay patient – Take breaks, breathe, and don't smash that controller (they're expensive).

Final Thoughts

Challenging games aren’t for everyone—but if you’ve got the heart, the patience, and the persistence, PlayStation’s library of tough-as-nails exclusives has some incredible experiences to offer. They're not just about difficulty; they’re about growth. Each failure teaches a lesson, and every success feels like you've truly earned it.

Stick with it, and soon you’ll be one of those players saying, “Yeah, Bloodborne wasn’t that hard after all.” Just maybe don’t say that around new players—it’s bad for morale.