Difficult indie games
indielist tracks 237 indie difficult games with the Steam user tag "Difficult", together holding 8,221,760 reviews at an average of 91% positive. The most reviewed is Geometry Dash with 593,852 reviews.
Tagged titles
237
Total reviews on Steam
8,221,760
Avg positive %
91%
Related tags
Action (34) Adventure (23) Pixel Graphics (17) Rogue-like (17) Strategy (17) Survival (16) Rogue-lite (14) Simulation (14) Funny (13) Platformer (13)
- G
Geometry Dash
2014 · Action
593,852 reviews · 93% positive
DifficultMusicLevel EditorGreat SoundtrackPrecision Platformer
- D
Don't Starve Together
2016 · Action
542,814 reviews · 95% positive
SurvivalOpen World Survival CraftMultiplayerCo-opOpen World
- H
Hollow Knight
2017 · Action
502,237 reviews · 97% positive
MetroidvaniaSouls-likePlatformerGreat Soundtrack2D
- V
Valheim
2026 · Action
460,448 reviews · 94% positive
Open World Survival CraftSurvivalOnline Co-OpOpen WorldMultiplayer
- T
- H
- R
Risk of Rain 2
2020 · Action
239,860 reviews · 94% positive
Third-Person ShooterAction RoguelikeMultiplayerCo-opAction
- C
Cuphead
2017 · Action
221,010 reviews · 96% positive
DifficultCartoonCo-opPlatformerGreat Soundtrack
- S
Slay the Spire
2019 · Indie
193,156 reviews · 97% positive
Roguelike DeckbuilderCard GameCard BattlerRogue-likeDeckbuilding
- B
Balatro
2024 · Casual
160,457 reviews · 98% positive
Card GameRoguelike DeckbuilderRogue-likeDeckbuildingSingleplayer
- D
Dead Cells
2018 · Action
156,104 reviews · 97% positive
AdventureAction RoguelikeMetroidvaniaPixel GraphicsRogue-like
- O
- D
- C
Celeste
2018 · Action
131,822 reviews · 97% positive
Precision PlatformerDifficultPixel GraphicsGreat SoundtrackIndie
- H
Hotline Miami
2012 · Action
128,103 reviews · 97% positive
Great SoundtrackViolentActionIndiePixel Graphics
- K
- M
- T
The Long Dark
2017 · Adventure
111,684 reviews · 89% positive
SurvivalOpen World Survival CraftOpen WorldExplorationAtmospheric
- M
- O
Outlast
2013 · Action
104,234 reviews · 96% positive
HorrorFirst-PersonSurvival HorrorAtmosphericPsychological Horror
- D
- E
Enter the Gungeon
2016 · Action
89,819 reviews · 95% positive
Bullet HellAction RoguelikeRogue-likePixel GraphicsDifficult
- N
- P
Papers, Please
2013 · Adventure
80,469 reviews · 97% positive
IndiePoliticalSimulationPoint & ClickSingleplayer
- H
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
2015 · Action
80,171 reviews · 94% positive
Great SoundtrackGorePixel GraphicsViolentAction
- A
A Dance of Fire and Ice
2019 · Indie
78,581 reviews · 94% positive
RhythmMusicDifficultLevel EditorSingleplayer
- B
- D
DEVOUR
2021 · Indie
68,638 reviews · 90% positive
HorrorOnline Co-OpMultiplayerSurvival HorrorSexual Content
- K
Katana ZERO
2019 · Action
66,315 reviews · 98% positive
Pixel GraphicsActionGreat SoundtrackStory RichPlatformer
- P
Pizza Tower
2023 · Action
66,309 reviews · 98% positive
Great Soundtrack2D PlatformerFast-PacedIndieCartoony
- P
Plague Inc: Evolved
2016 · Casual
65,797 reviews · 94% positive
StrategySimulationOutbreak SimIndieSingleplayer
- F
- O
Overcooked! 2
2018 · Action
61,898 reviews · 90% positive
MultiplayerOnline Co-OpLocal Co-OpCo-opCasual
- L
- B
- F
Five Nights at Freddy's
2014 · Indie
53,589 reviews · 94% positive
HorrorSingleplayerSurvival HorrorRobotsPsychological Horror
- S
- G
- T
- R
- L
- B
- E
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
2021 · Action
43,037 reviews · 94% positive
MetroidvaniaFemale ProtagonistSouls-likeDark FantasySingleplayer
- S
- L
- G
- N
- H
- C
- R
Return of the Obra Dinn
2018 · Adventure
35,177 reviews · 97% positive
DetectiveMysteryPuzzleStory RichAtmospheric
- S
- W
Who's Your Daddy?!
2016 · Action
31,957 reviews · 80% positive
FunnyMultiplayerFirst-PersonComedySimulation
- S
- C
- S
- T
The Talos Principle
2014 · Action
29,229 reviews · 95% positive
PuzzlePhilosophicalFirst-PersonSci-fiAtmospheric
- P
- K
- S
- T
The Escapists 2
2017 · Indie
26,434 reviews · 91% positive
MultiplayerStrategyPixel GraphicsOnline Co-OpCo-op
- H
- G
- J
Just Shapes & Beats
2018 · Action
24,021 reviews · 98% positive
RhythmGreat SoundtrackMusicBullet HellDifficult
- F
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
2014 · Indie
23,849 reviews · 94% positive
HorrorSingleplayerSurvival HorrorRobotsPsychological Horror
- P
PICO PARK
2021 · Action
23,744 reviews · 91% positive
MultiplayerOnline Co-OpPuzzle-PlatformerCo-opLocal Co-Op
- C
Crypt of the NecroDancer
2015 · Action
23,585 reviews · 95% positive
RhythmFemale ProtagonistDifficultRogue-likeGreat Soundtrack
- S
Spelunky 2
2020 · Action
21,946 reviews · 93% positive
Platformer2D PlatformerDifficultOnline Co-OpPerma Death
- S
- S
- T
The Witness
2016 · Adventure
21,371 reviews · 84% positive
PuzzleExplorationFirst-PersonOpen WorldSingleplayer
- B
- R
- S
- W
Wizard of Legend
2018 · Action
17,319 reviews · 91% positive
Action RoguelikePixel GraphicsRogue-likeDungeon CrawlerLocal Co-Op
- F
Five Nights at Freddy's 4
2015 · Action
16,969 reviews · 93% positive
HorrorSurvival HorrorSingleplayerFirst-PersonRobots
- H
- E
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist
2025 · Action
16,789 reviews · 95% positive
Metroidvania2DSingleplayerDark FantasyAction RPG
- T
- C
- C
Changed
2018 · Adventure
16,047 reviews · 86% positive
CuteDifficultSexual ContentPsychological HorrorPuzzle
- T
- S
- H
Hyper Light Drifter
2016 · Action
15,535 reviews · 93% positive
Pixel GraphicsGreat SoundtrackAtmosphericAdventureIndie
- C
- I
- G
Gold Mining Simulator
2017 · Indie
15,121 reviews · 73% positive
SimulationMiningSingleplayerRealisticOpen World
- N
- 1
- C
- S
- K
- R
- S
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
2014 · Action
14,210 reviews · 96% positive
PlatformerPixel GraphicsRetroGreat SoundtrackIndie
- S
Surgeon Simulator
2013 · Action
13,795 reviews · 82% positive
SimulationFunnyPhysicsComedyMedical Sim
- T
- C
- O
Overcooked
2016 · Action
13,498 reviews · 90% positive
Local Co-OpMultiplayerLocal MultiplayerCo-opCasual
- S
Session: Skate Sim
2022 · Indie
13,456 reviews · 83% positive
SkateboardingSportsSimulationSingleplayerIndie
- T
- M
- B
Barony
2015 · Action
12,679 reviews · 91% positive
Dungeon CrawlerAction RoguelikeOnline Co-OpFantasyRogue-like
- E
- J
Jump King
2019 · Action
12,330 reviews · 90% positive
Psychological HorrorDifficultPrecision PlatformerIndiePixel Graphics
- C
Caves of Qud
2024 · Adventure
11,875 reviews · 95% positive
Procedural GenerationTurn-Based CombatOpen WorldTurn-BasedTranshumanism
- F
Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location
2016 · Action
11,494 reviews · 90% positive
HorrorSurvival HorrorSingleplayerRobotsFirst-Person
- A
- F
Five Nights at Freddy's 3
2015 · Action
11,357 reviews · 90% positive
HorrorSingleplayerSurvival HorrorRobotsFirst-Person
- F
- G
Granny
2018 · Adventure
10,876 reviews · 94% positive
HorrorSurvival HorrorMultiplayerFirst-PersonSingleplayer
- R
Rabi-Ribi
2016 · Action
10,768 reviews · 95% positive
AnimeMetroidvaniaBullet HellFemale ProtagonistPixel Graphics
- T
Tiny Rogues
2022 · Action
10,755 reviews · 96% positive
Action RoguelikeBullet HellTop-Down ShooterReplay ValueDifficult
- A
- M
Monster Sanctuary
2020 · Action
10,405 reviews · 91% positive
Creature CollectorPixel GraphicsMetroidvaniaTurn-Based TacticsSingleplayer
- T
- K
Kindergarten
2017 · Adventure
10,232 reviews · 97% positive
FunnyGorePixel GraphicsSingleplayerViolent
- S
- R
- E
- P
Pathologic 2
2019 · Adventure
9,534 reviews · 92% positive
Story RichAtmosphericChoices MatterRPGDifficult
- S
SULFUR
2024 · Action
9,465 reviews · 88% positive
Early AccessAction RoguelikeFPSDungeon CrawlerRogue-lite
- D
- D
- O
- W
Windblown
2024 · Action
9,056 reviews · 89% positive
Early AccessAction RoguelikeHack and SlashActionIndie
- M
Monster Train 2
2025 · Indie
8,625 reviews · 95% positive
StrategyCard GameRogue-likeTurn-Based StrategyTurn-Based Tactics
- E
Elin
2024 · Indie
8,383 reviews · 93% positive
Early AccessCharacter CustomizationOpen WorldRogue-likeJRPG
- E
- W
We Who Are About To Die
2022 · Action
8,131 reviews · 88% positive
Early AccessIndieAction RoguelikeRogue-liteSimulation
- 5
- S
Slender: The Arrival
2013 · Action
7,905 reviews · 88% positive
HorrorSurvival HorrorFirst-PersonMultiplayerIndie
- M
- P
- K
Kingdom Rush Origins - Tower Defense
2018 · Indie
7,448 reviews · 96% positive
Tower DefenseStrategy2DSingleplayerDifficult
- T
Tales of Maj'Eyal
2013 · Adventure
7,444 reviews · 94% positive
Traditional RoguelikeRogue-likeTurn-BasedDungeon CrawlerPerma Death
- I
- U
- Q
Quasimorph
2026 · Action
7,100 reviews · 82% positive
Early AccessExtraction ShooterSimulationTurn-BasedRogue-like
- T
The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos
2020 · Action
6,888 reviews · 87% positive
RPGTurn-Based TacticsAdventureTurn-BasedSingleplayer
- T
- U
- O
- S
- O
- O
- L
- A
- R
- A
- A
Astral Ascent
2023 · Action
5,397 reviews · 95% positive
Action RoguelikeRogue-liteHack and SlashIndieAtmospheric
- H
- C
Cave Story+
2011 · Action
5,208 reviews · 93% positive
PlatformerMetroidvaniaIndieGreat SoundtrackPixel Graphics
- P
- M
- W
- T
- T
Tattletail
2016 · Action
4,640 reviews · 95% positive
HorrorFirst-PersonSurvival HorrorSingleplayer1990's
- G
- R
- B
- O
Othercide
2020 · Indie
4,500 reviews · 82% positive
StrategyIndieTurn-Based TacticsFemale ProtagonistTurn-Based Combat
- N
- E
Electrician Simulator
2022 · Adventure
4,054 reviews · 80% positive
SimulationEducationImmersive SimFirst-PersonIndie
- 2
- S
- S
- H
- S
- G
GemCraft - Chasing Shadows
2015 · Action
3,658 reviews · 95% positive
Tower DefenseStrategyIndieSingleplayerAction
- P
- R
- E
- T
- H
- S
- Z
- F
Freedom Planet
2014 · Action
3,316 reviews · 95% positive
PlatformerGreat SoundtrackActionFemale Protagonist2D
- V
- T
The End Is Nigh
2017 · Action
3,282 reviews · 94% positive
Precision PlatformerPlatformerIndieDifficultGreat Soundtrack
- W
- O
Ostranauts
2026 · Indie
3,094 reviews · 77% positive
Early AccessTop-DownCyberpunkOpen WorldSimulation
- M
- B
Bio Inc. Redemption
2018 · Indie
3,035 reviews · 87% positive
Medical SimOutbreak SimSimulationStrategyManagement
- M
- A
- I
- G
- S
- S
- I
- E
Enotria: The Last Song
2024 · Action
2,180 reviews · 69% positive
Souls-likeRPGDifficultSingleplayerAtmospheric
- T
- S
- L
- Z
ZeroRanger
2018 · Action
2,036 reviews · 96% positive
Shoot 'Em UpIndieActionGreat SoundtrackBullet Hell
- U
- S
- W
Wizard of Legend 2
2025 · Action
1,963 reviews · 52% positive
Early AccessAction RoguelikeOnline Co-OpDungeon CrawlerHack and Slash
- T
- S
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
2015 · Action
1,844 reviews · 93% positive
PlatformerMetroidvaniaFemale ProtagonistGreat Soundtrack2D
- I
- T
Timelie
2020 · Adventure
1,782 reviews · 94% positive
Puzzle-PlatformerPuzzleFemale ProtagonistTime ManipulationIsometric
- V
Vagrus - The Riven Realms
2021 · Indie
1,739 reviews · 85% positive
Story RichOpen WorldDungeons & DragonsNarrativeStrategy RPG
- T
- T
Touhou Fuujinroku ~ Mountain of Faith.
2020 · Action
1,613 reviews · 98% positive
IndieActionBullet HellShoot 'Em UpGreat Soundtrack
- 1
- S
- R
- T
Touhou Kanjuden ~ Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom.
2019 · Action
1,511 reviews · 98% positive
Bullet HellDifficultGreat SoundtrackFaithIndie
- L
- E
- T
Topple Tactics
2023 · Action
1,367 reviews · 88% positive
PhysicsComedyColorfulTower DefenseMultiplayer
- D
Dark Deception
2018 · Action
1,356 reviews · 88% positive
HorrorFree to PlayMultiplayerSingleplayerFirst-Person
- S
- I
Infectonator 3: Apocalypse
2018 · Indie
1,248 reviews · 83% positive
Outbreak SimIndieZombiesStrategySimulation
- M
- J
JUMP KING QUEST
2026 · Action
1,199 reviews · 88% positive
Early AccessMultiplayerSouls-likePrecision PlatformerMetroidvania
- P
Paquerette Down the Bunburrows
2023 · Adventure
1,115 reviews · 96% positive
Pixel GraphicsLogicSingleplayerSokobanPuzzle
- T
Those Who Rule
2025 · Indie
1,108 reviews · 90% positive
Tactical RPGTurn-Based TacticsRPGStrategy RPGTurn-Based Strategy
- T
Touhou Kikeijuu ~ Wily Beast and Weakest Creature.
2019 · Action
1,028 reviews · 97% positive
IndieBullet HellGreat SoundtrackShoot 'Em UpFaith
- G
- T
The Doors of Trithius
2021 · Indie
966 reviews · 94% positive
SimulationTraditional RoguelikeRogue-likeOpen WorldProcedural Generation
- S
- S
- S
SNØ: Ultimate Freeriding
2025 · Action
916 reviews · 96% positive
SingleplayerSkiingMinimalistSimulationProcedural Generation
- B
- L
La-Mulana 2
2018 · Action
818 reviews · 86% positive
Action-AdventureMetroidvaniaPuzzle-PlatformerSouls-likeDifficult
- L
- X
- S
- 3
- L
- S
- A
- M
MEMOLITH: Forsaken by Light
2026 · Indie
247 reviews · 77% positive
Early AccessTactical RPGStrategy RPGTurn-Based StrategyPixel Graphics
- G
- R
Realm of the Mad God Exalt
2012 · Action
193 reviews · 83% positive
Pixel GraphicsMMORPGFree to PlayRogue-likePerma Death
- L
Lost Flame
2026 · Indie
166 reviews · 97% positive
Rogue-likeIndieRPGEarly AccessTraditional Roguelike
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best difficult indie games?
- By Steam review count, indielist ranks 237 tracked difficult indie games led by Geometry Dash (593,852 reviews).
- How is the difficult list built?
- This page uses SteamSpy user tags from tracked games, then ranks matching public games by Steam review count. It is not hand-picked.