I don’t think it’s controversial to say that many games nowadays like to hold your hand,sometimes to a detriment. Some guidance is always welcome when you start a new game, but many titles take it too far.
10 Most Obtuse Video Game Puzzles Ever
These puzzles don’t simply scratch your brain, but completely scrambles it.
The worst offendersinsult your intelligenceor bombard you with agonizing tutorials you cannot skip. On the flip side, plenty of games know there’s a brain floating somewhere between your ears and expect you to use it.
With this in mind, here are some fantastic titles thatrequire some thinkingif you want to get the most out of them.
I’ve tried to keep the genres as varied as possible, so there’s something for everyone. I’ve also avoided games that are just confusing for the sake of it, as they usually cater to a specialized audience.
10Final Fantasy XIV
The Right Amount Of Hand Holding
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy XIVis one of themost popular MMOs on the planet, and while it throws a lot of text boxes at players, it doesn’t feel unjustified.
FFXIVis a complex game withover 20 ‘Jobs’each with a unique moveset and optimal damage rotation. Skills for each Job are slowly unlocked as you level them up, but Square Enix’s approach to each profession isrefreshingly hands-off.
The downside is you will need to do some research outside the game for the highest DPS output, but that comes with the genre territory. Once you know the basics,FFXIVlets youexplore Eorzea at your own pace, which will keep both hardcore and casual players happy.
9Escape From Tarkov
Die, Learn, Repeat
Escape from Tarkov
Escape From Tarkovis anintense extraction shooterwith a hardcore reputation. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but once it grabs you,kiss goodbye to your free time.
That hardcore reputation is deserved, and it’s a game where most players would agree that you’re still an absolute novice, even if you’re a hundred hours deep. Still, the game isn’t obtuse; there’s just a lot to it. You’ll understand the gameplay loop within a few sessions, but it will take much longer before you come out of fights alive against other players.Weapon craftingis also delightfully intricate.
There are technically maps in the game, but they suck. You can use a third-party source, butEFT rewards knowledge and experiencelike no other game I’ve ever played.
8Monster Hunter Wilds
A Capcom Flagship
Monster Hunter Wilds
Fextralife Wiki
Monster Hunter Wildsisthe most accessible the series has ever been, but that doesn’t mean the game undermines your intelligence.
10 Hardest PS2 Games Of All Time
The embodiment of ‘old school difficulty.’
As a veteranMonster Hunterplayer, I found it a bit frustrating that I couldn’t entirely disable the tutorials. That said, most text boxes only show up tointroduce new mechanics, and they won’t appear again unless you seek them out in your Hunter Log.
Wildsis a deep game withdozens of systemswoven together. Considering how complex the title is,Wildsis surprisingly hands-off at times and never interrupts thehigh-octane monster beatdownswith stuff you don’t need to hear.
Monster Hunter Wildsdoesn’t treat players like idiots, in my opinion, butit can be tough to decipher what’s usefuland what isn’t as a newbie. If that sounds like you, check out ourtips and tricks guide.
7Bloodborne
Yes, I Want A Remaster Too
Bloodborne
You all knew aSouls-likewould make the list sooner or later. While the games arenotorious for their difficultyand lack of hand-holding, they are rarely obtuse for the sake of it.
Bloodborneismy favorite From Software game, hence the recommendation. The gothic city of Yharnam is an unforgiving place, and you’re left to discover everything besides the absolute basics unaided.
There areplenty of beginner traps, brutal bosses, and a generous amount of becoming hopelessly lost. That said, thedifficulty ramps up at a fair pace, aside from a couple of hefty spikes.
From Software games are known for letting the player make their own mistakes. As they say,failure is the best teacher.
6Street Fighter 6
A Hardcore Fighter Made Accessible
Street Fighter 6
Once upon a time, you had toscour the deepest, darkest corners of FGC forumsif you really wanted to learn how to play a fighting game. Nowadays, you have the tools to discover things for yourself.
Street Fighter 6is animpressive fighting gamewith a World Tour mode that lets you interact with series legends and build your own fighter. The tutorials and training modes are some of the most in-depth andaccessibleI’ve ever seen in the genre. Best of all, they don’t treat you like an idiot, either.
Fighting games are hard, andStreet Fighter 6approaches that issue in a way that never undermines the player. You’re given all the tools you need to learn matchups, and it’s up to you how far you take that knowledge.
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Sometimes, you have to keep track of everything yourself.
5Tokyo Xtreme Racer
A Classic PS2 Racer Reborn
Tokyo Xtreme Racer
Tokyo Xtreme Raceris astreet racingfan’s dream come true, offering arefreshing ‘old school’ takeon the driving genre.
Genki’s racing games are known for having in-depth car tuning mechanics, andTXR 25is no exception. You’re heavily encouraged to tinker with your vehicle’s gear ratios, suspension, and tires. It’spossible to ruin your ride if you’re careless, but few games in the genre are as rewarding when you finally stumble across a tune that works for you.
Tokyo Xtreme Racerdoesn’t do a poor job explaining what each car setting does, but it doesn’t go out of its way to tell you either. If you wish, you’re free to race around the C1 Loop in an untuned car, but there’s anocean of customizationfor those willing to dive in.
4Dragon’s Dogma 2
Let’s Get To Work, Arisen
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Dragon’s Dogma 2is anexceptional open-world RPGthat can be surprisingly unforgiving.
DD2is set against agorgeous fantasy backdropwith a map that makes the original look comparatively small. There aremany overlapping mechanics, and while everything is explained, it is easy to forget essential systems as a new player.
For example, food will begin to rot if you don’t consume it fast enough. The night is pitch black, andthere isn’t even a traditional ‘fast travel’ optionoutside a horse-drawn cart. Combat is unforgiving, especially if you’ve not played the original, and it’s easy to feel like you’ve fallen into a hole you can’t get out of.
When you start to click withDD2, everything becomes much easier, but it can takesome fumbling aroundbefore you get to that point, and the game rarely extends a helping hand.
3The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
A Roguelite Masterclass
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
TheRoguelitegenre hasexploded in popularityover recent years, andThe Binding of Isaac: Repentanceremains one of the most influential and beloved.
You’re left to discover almost every part ofTBOIby yourself, outside of a few crudely drawn instructions painted on the basement floor.The game is mechanically simple, and part of the fun is learning what each item does.
Many items inTBOIsynergize, and there are somany incredible combinationsthat no other game in the genre has matched it. The item pool is so overwhelming that some players even use an item-identifying mod.
That said,the mod is optional, and when you start to memorize a few things, the game becomes incredibly rewarding.
2Hollow Knight
Defining A Genre
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knightis one of themost beloved Metroidvania’s on the market, rewarding players who explore and can adjust to new threats on the fly.
The controls are simple, and after a brief tutorial, you can explore Hallownest on your own.You’re never told what to dobeyond suggestions from NPCs, and the gameplay is immediately familiar if you’ve ever played a 2D platformer.
Hollow Knightearns a special spot on the list as the rumor mill is firing on cylinders about the upcoming sequel,Silksong. If you’re ready to get lost in abeautiful, if bleak, fantasy world, I can’t recommend it enough.
1Phasmophobia
Ghost Hunting 101
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobiais a superbhorror/detective mashupwhere you and your friends try to identify what ghost is haunting the map with an inspired selection ofghost-hunting gadgets.
There’s a decent tutorial mode for brand-new players, but once you’ve beaten it, you’re on your own. Fortunately, the journal in your pocket tells you everything you need to know about every ghost, and it’s up to you toread through it and decipher the clues.
Unfortunately, the Journal does have a few dubious entries thatbend the truthat best and flat-out lie at worst. Still, there are some impressive community-made resources you’re able to use, and they aren’t essential unless you really want to learn the intricacies ofPhasmophobia.
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Not every video game reboot does it perfectly, but some deserve more credit than they get.
