**The 10 Hardest Soulslike Games That Are Absolutely Not Beginner-Friendly**

The Soulslike genre is notoriously unforgiving. While some games in this category are on the easier side, most will see you getting utterly destroyed more often than not. This genre has dominated gaming for over a decade, but it’s far from entry-level. Between brutal boss runbacks and relentless basic enemies, you’ll often find yourself gripping the controller white-knuckle tight.

In this article, we explore ten Soulslike games that pull no punches and are reserved for only the most hardcore players.

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### 10. Lords of the Fallen (2023) – The Darkest Soul

*Lords of the Fallen* is a hardcore Soulslike that pulls absolutely no punches. From the very first second, you’re thrown into a devastating boss fight. Traversing the world’s two realms—Axiom and Umbral—you’ll encounter terrifying creatures, especially in the brutal Umbral realm, where enemies can one-shot you if you’re not careful.

Basic enemies in *Lords of the Fallen* push you off ledges, ambush you in darkness, freeze and poison you—there’s no shortage of brutal hazards in this blood-soaked world. For genre veterans, it comfortably ranks in the painfully hard category, with some boss fights among the toughest the genre has ever seen.

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### 9. Bleak Faith: Forsaken – A Confusing Journey

*Bleak Faith: Forsaken* is a strange yet punishing sci-fi Soulslike. The sprawling level design will intimidate beginners, sending you across mountain tops, valleys, and intricate mazes. Navigating the world is a challenge in itself.

Enemies here are some of the hardest to read in any Soulslike, sometimes due to the quirky AI, making their attacks unpredictable. Boss fights are varied, with numerous attack styles and demanding multiple attempts through enemy-filled gauntlets.

Despite its quirks, like a unique magic system, *Bleak Faith* offers a rewarding experience—if you can get past its steep learning curve.

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### 8. Black Myth: Wukong – Becoming the Legend

One of 2024’s biggest hits, *Black Myth: Wukong* redefines the genre with fast-paced, acrobatic combat. The first few bosses seem easy, almost as if the game is toying with you. But once you reach the expansive open areas, the challenge spikes drastically.

You’ll need to master transformations, buffs, specials, and healing management. The game offers countless secrets and alternate routes, but without guides, these are easy to miss. What starts as a breezy introduction ramps up into one of the toughest games around, demanding intense focus and strategy.

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### 7. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – Parry the World

*Sekiro* stands as one of the hardest games ever made. Success hinges on pure skill—there’s no health upgrades or weapon improvements, only a fixed katana and your reflexes.

Parrying and dodging require pinpoint timing; even the tiniest misstep can mean death. Bosses often have multiple phases, with some of the most punishing optional fights in gaming history. The final boss is widely regarded as one of the toughest ever created.

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### 6. The Surge 2 – The Augmented Future Collapse

*The Surge 2* delivers an open-world sci-fi Soulslike with innovative combat focused on targeting enemy weak points. The game’s many systems can overwhelm newcomers immediately.

Combat demands lightning-fast reflexes and tactical dodging, with no on-screen cues to guide your movements. Enemies are relentless, and bosses take these tough battles to a whole new level, requiring careful gear setup and stat optimization.

The story offers little guidance, so you must pay attention to your surroundings at all times. There is absolutely no hand-holding here.

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### 5. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – Breaking You In Early

*Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty* throws players into the deep end from the start. The very first boss, Zhang Liang, is a two-phase nightmare with no help or summons, forcing you to learn the game’s rules immediately.

This encounter has driven many players away before they even get into the game proper. Zhang Liang is one of the hardest fights in the game, making this frontloaded challenge both frustrating and brutally effective at teaching the core parrying system.

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### 4. Nioh 2 – Samurai Souls

Though the first *Nioh* was tough, *Nioh 2* skyrockets the difficulty. The depth of its systems—parries, transformations, combos, ki pulses, and special attacks—can easily overwhelm newcomers.

Boss battles pit you against monstrous demons, human foes, giant snakes, and more. Each demands smart healing, tailored attack strategies, and perfect parry timing. This game is designed for the most hardcore fans of the genre. Beginners should tread elsewhere unless they want their controllers tossed in frustration.

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### 3. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers – Inspired By Pain

*Wuchang: Fallen Feathers* doesn’t reinvent Soulslikes but executes its formula superbly, blending styles from *Sekiro*, *Bloodborne*, and *Black Myth: Wukong*. Combat is high-speed and varied, with a vast arsenal to master.

Basic enemies are relentless—ambushes, mixed melee and ranged foes, and explosive traps make progression a nightmare. Its unique Madness Meter increases with each death, boosting damage dealt and taken; reaching 100% Madness means a boss fight to reclaim lost items. This punishing risk-reward system requires constant attention and is best avoided by newcomers.

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### 2. The First Berserker: Khazan – Blood on the Snow

Releasing in 2025, *The First Berserker: Khazan* quickly earned a reputation as one of the genre’s fiercest. Boss fights here demand insane parrying precision—one slip can mean instant death.

Even the tutorial boss feels like a nightmare, with bosses adapting to your playstyle and attacks unpredictably. There is an “easy” mode, but it remains brutal, hardly deserving the name. This game is built exclusively for hardened Soulslike veterans who crave extreme challenge.

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### 1. Hollow Knight: Silksong – Burrowing Deeper

Reinventing the Metroidvania and Soulslike fusion, *Hollow Knight: Silksong* takes difficulty to new heights. Unlike typical Soulslikes where basic enemies are manageable, this game stacks challenging foes amidst tricky platforming sections, creating relentless pressure.

Bosses demand precise abilities, tools, and strategy—without the right setup, survival is impossible. Hornet’s rapid attacks, coupled with damage from simply touching enemies, make movement critical. The healing system punishes mistakes, canceling healing if hit mid-action and reducing your heal count.

Even after multiple patches easing difficulty, *Silksong* remains a brutal challenge. Beginners are best advised to build experience with gentler Soulslikes before attempting this masterpiece.

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**Final Thoughts**

The Soulslike genre is a demanding playground for skilled players. These ten titles represent some of the toughest in the category, each offering unique challenges that test your patience, reflexes, and strategic thinking. If you’re new to the genre, consider starting with more forgiving games before diving into these punishing adventures. For veterans seeking the ultimate challenge, however, these games stand as towering monuments to difficulty and mastery.
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