Difficult indie games

indielist tracks 234 indie difficult games with the Steam user tag "Difficult", together holding 8,029,769 reviews at an average of 91% positive. The most reviewed is Geometry Dash with 580,332 reviews.

Tagged titles

234

Total reviews on Steam

8,029,769

Avg positive %

91%

Related tags

Action (35) Adventure (23) Pixel Graphics (17) Rogue-like (17) Strategy (17) Survival (16) Rogue-lite (14) Simulation (14) Casual (13) Funny (13)

G

Geometry Dash

2014 · Action

580,332 reviews · 93% positive

Difficult Music Level EditorGreat SoundtrackPrecision Platformer
H

Hollow Knight

2017 · Action

496,178 reviews · 97% positive

Metroidvania Souls-like PlatformerGreat Soundtrack2D
V

Valheim

2021 · Action

456,201 reviews · 94% positive

Open World Survival Craft SurvivalOnline Co-OpOpen WorldMultiplayer
T

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

2014 · Action

393,010 reviews · 97% positive

Action Roguelike Rogue-likeIndieReplay Value Difficult
D

Don't Starve Together

2016 · Action

373,702 reviews · 95% positive

Survival Open World Survival CraftMultiplayerCo-opOpen World
H

Hades

2020 · Action

284,045 reviews · 98% positive

Action Roguelike Rogue-lite Hack and SlashIndieMythology
R

Risk of Rain 2

2020 · Action

238,594 reviews · 94% positive

Third-Person Shooter Action RoguelikeMultiplayerCo-opAction
B

Balatro

2024 · Casual

195,701 reviews · 98% positive

Card Game Roguelike Deckbuilder Rogue-like DeckbuildingSingleplayer
C

Cuphead

2017 · Action

195,478 reviews · 96% positive

Difficult CartoonCo-opPlatformerGreat Soundtrack
S

Slay the Spire

2019 · Indie

191,687 reviews · 97% positive

Roguelike Deckbuilder Card Game Card Battler Rogue-like Deckbuilding
D

Dead Cells

2018 · Action

155,111 reviews · 97% positive

Adventure Action Roguelike Metroidvania Pixel Graphics Rogue-like
D

Darkest Dungeon®

2016 · Indie

139,370 reviews · 92% positive

Turn-Based Combat Dark Fantasy Dungeon Crawler Rogue-like RPG
O

Outlast

2013 · Action

137,741 reviews · 96% positive

Horror First-Person Survival HorrorAtmosphericPsychological Horror
O

Oxygen Not Included

2019 · Indie

134,387 reviews · 97% positive

Colony Sim Base-Building Survival Resource Management Building
C

Celeste

2018 · Action

129,721 reviews · 97% positive

Precision Platformer Difficult Pixel GraphicsGreat SoundtrackIndie
K

Kerbal Space Program

2015 · Indie

118,940 reviews · 96% positive

Space Simulation Sandbox Physics Science
M

Muse Dash

2019 · Action

115,944 reviews · 92% positive

Music Rhythm Anime CuteSexual Content
T

The Long Dark

2017 · Adventure

111,024 reviews · 89% positive

Survival Open World Survival Craft Open World ExplorationAtmospheric
H

Hotline Miami

2012 · Action

108,178 reviews · 97% positive

Great SoundtrackViolent ActionIndiePixel Graphics
M

My Summer Car

2025 · Indie

106,927 reviews · 95% positive

Automobile Sim Simulation Driving Open World Survival
D

Don't Starve

2013 · Adventure

96,773 reviews · 97% positive

Survival Open World Survival Craft Crafting AdventureIndie
N

Noita

2020 · Action

80,479 reviews · 95% positive

Physics Rogue-like Pixel Graphics Difficult Dungeon Crawler
E

Enter the Gungeon

2016 · Action

79,077 reviews · 95% positive

Bullet Hell Action Roguelike Rogue-like Pixel Graphics Difficult
A

A Dance of Fire and Ice

2019 · Indie

77,526 reviews · 94% positive

Rhythm Music Difficult Level EditorSingleplayer
P

Papers, Please

2013 · Adventure

72,775 reviews · 97% positive

IndiePolitical Simulation Point & ClickSingleplayer
B

Beat Saber

2019 · Indie

69,631 reviews · 96% positive

VR Rhythm Music Moddable Fast-Paced
H

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

2015 · Action

68,704 reviews · 94% positive

Great SoundtrackGore Pixel Graphics Violent Action
D

DEVOUR

2021 · Indie

68,443 reviews · 90% positive

HorrorOnline Co-OpMultiplayerSurvival HorrorSexual Content
K

Katana ZERO

2019 · Action

65,952 reviews · 98% positive

Pixel Graphics ActionGreat SoundtrackStory Rich Platformer
P

Pizza Tower

2023 · Action

65,904 reviews · 98% positive

Great Soundtrack2D Platformer Fast-PacedIndieCartoony
T

The Binding of Isaac

2011 · Action

62,665 reviews · 95% positive

Action Roguelike Rogue-likeIndieReplay Value Difficult
F

FTL: Faster Than Light

2012 · Indie

62,433 reviews · 95% positive

Rogue-like Space Strategy Sci-fiIndie
O

Overcooked! 2

2018 · Action

61,116 reviews · 90% positive

MultiplayerOnline Co-OpLocal Co-OpCo-opCasual
P

Plague Inc: Evolved

2016 · Casual

58,402 reviews · 94% positive

Strategy SimulationOutbreak SimIndieSingleplayer
B

Blasphemous

2019 · Action

53,673 reviews · 90% positive

Metroidvania Pixel Graphics Souls-like Dark Fantasy Gore
F

Five Nights at Freddy's

2014 · Indie

53,128 reviews · 94% positive

HorrorSingleplayerSurvival Horror Robots Psychological Horror
L

Lobotomy Corporation | Monster Management Simulation

2018 · Indie

51,411 reviews · 94% positive

Management Difficult Psychological Horror Story Rich Simulation
S

Skul: The Hero Slayer

2021 · Action

50,654 reviews · 93% positive

IndieAction Action Roguelike Pixel Graphics2D
G

Golf With Your Friends

2020 · Casual

50,066 reviews · 87% positive

MultiplayerCasualMini GolfSportsGolf
R

Rain World

2017 · Action

45,324 reviews · 94% positive

DifficultAtmosphericSurvival ExplorationIndie
N

Nine Sols

2024 · Action

44,015 reviews · 94% positive

Metroidvania Souls-like Difficult Action2D
L

Library Of Ruina

2021 · Indie

44,010 reviews · 94% positive

Story Rich Card Game Strategy Difficult Deckbuilding
E

ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights

2021 · Action

42,590 reviews · 94% positive

Metroidvania Female Protagonist Souls-like Dark FantasySingleplayer
S

SANABI

2023 · Action

41,177 reviews · 97% positive

Pixel Graphics Story Rich Action Cyberpunk Adventure
S

SUPERHOT

2016 · Action

40,537 reviews · 92% positive

Action FPS Bullet Time Time ManipulationIndie
L

LIMBO

2011 · Action

40,239 reviews · 92% positive

Puzzle-PlatformerIndiePuzzle Platformer Dark
G

Game Dev Tycoon

2013 · Casual

40,203 reviews · 95% positive

Management SimulationIndieStrategy Casual
B

Banished

2014 · Indie

37,804 reviews · 90% positive

City Builder Colony Sim Strategy Simulation Survival
H

Hero Siege

2014 · Action

36,013 reviews · 67% positive

Action RPG Pixel Graphics Hack and Slash Action Roguelike RPG
C

Clone Drone in the Danger Zone

2021 · Action

35,625 reviews · 96% positive

Robots Action3D FighterSwordplayMultiplayer
R

Return of the Obra Dinn

2018 · Adventure

34,782 reviews · 97% positive

Detective Mystery Puzzle Story RichAtmospheric
S

Stoneshard

2020 · Adventure

33,622 reviews · 75% positive

RPG Rogue-like Strategy Pixel Graphics Survival
T

The Talos Principle

2014 · Action

32,940 reviews · 95% positive

Puzzle Philosophical First-Person Sci-fiAtmospheric
S

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

2016 · Indie

30,755 reviews · 96% positive

Stealth Strategy Tactical Ninja Real Time Tactics
1

100% Orange Juice

2014 · Indie

30,090 reviews · 91% positive

Anime Board Game CuteMultiplayerStrategy
S

Super Meat Boy

2010 · Indie

29,753 reviews · 94% positive

Precision Platformer Platformer DifficultIndie2D Platformer
C

Chants of Sennaar

2023 · Adventure

29,153 reviews · 98% positive

Puzzle AdventureSingleplayerIndieColorful
P

Paint the Town Red

2021 · Action

28,998 reviews · 96% positive

Gore Blood Action ViolentMultiplayer
S

Sifu

2023 · Action

28,086 reviews · 92% positive

Action Martial Arts Beat 'em up Difficult Third Person
K

Kerbal Space Program 2

2023 · Indie

27,821 reviews · 26% positive

Space Sandbox Exploration Building Physics
T

The Escapists 2

2017 · Indie

26,309 reviews · 91% positive

MultiplayerStrategy Pixel GraphicsOnline Co-OpCo-op
W

Who's Your Daddy?!

2016 · Action

25,729 reviews · 80% positive

FunnyMultiplayerFirst-Person Comedy Simulation
H

Hatred

2015 · Action

25,324 reviews · 84% positive

Gore Violent Action DarkMature
G

Golf It!

2023 · Casual

24,600 reviews · 90% positive

MultiplayerMini GolfGolfCasual Sports
J

Just Shapes & Beats

2018 · Action

23,762 reviews · 98% positive

RhythmGreat SoundtrackMusic Bullet Hell Difficult
P

PICO PARK

2021 · Action

23,675 reviews · 91% positive

MultiplayerOnline Co-OpPuzzle-PlatformerCo-opLocal Co-Op
F

Five Nights at Freddy's 2

2014 · Indie

23,645 reviews · 94% positive

HorrorSingleplayerSurvival Horror Robots Psychological Horror
C

Crypt of the NecroDancer

2015 · Action

23,526 reviews · 96% positive

Rhythm Female Protagonist Difficult Rogue-likeGreat Soundtrack
S

Salt and Sanctuary

2016 · Action

21,764 reviews · 89% positive

Souls-like Metroidvania Dark Fantasy2DDifficult
S

Serious Sam 3: BFE

2011 · Action

21,730 reviews · 88% positive

FPS ActionCo-opGore Comedy
W

Wizard of Legend

2018 · Action

21,017 reviews · 91% positive

Action Roguelike Pixel Graphics Rogue-like Dungeon CrawlerLocal Co-Op
B

Baba Is You

2019 · Indie

20,810 reviews · 98% positive

PuzzleIndieDifficultSingleplayerLogic
R

Risk of Rain (2013)

2013 · Action

20,758 reviews · 93% positive

Action Roguelike Rogue-likeIndiePlatformer Action
N

Nuclear Throne

2015 · Action

19,691 reviews · 96% positive

Action Roguelike Rogue-like Pixel GraphicsIndieDifficult
S

Spelunky 2

2020 · Action

19,626 reviews · 93% positive

Platformer 2D Platformer DifficultOnline Co-OpPerma Death
T

Trepang2

2023 · Action

18,950 reviews · 93% positive

ShooterSingleplayerFPS Gore Horror
I

IXION

2022 · Indie

17,509 reviews · 79% positive

Space City Builder Strategy Survival Resource Management
T

The Witness

2016 · Adventure

16,982 reviews · 84% positive

Puzzle Exploration First-Person Open WorldSingleplayer
S

Surgeon Simulator

2013 · Action

16,875 reviews · 82% positive

Simulation Funny Physics ComedyMedical Sim
E

ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist

2025 · Action

16,789 reviews · 95% positive

Metroidvania2DSingleplayerDark Fantasy Action RPG
H

Hacknet

2015 · Indie

16,789 reviews · 94% positive

Hacking Simulation ProgrammingTypingSingleplayer
T

TUNIC

2022 · Action

16,431 reviews · 91% positive

Exploration Puzzle Souls-like Metroidvania Cute
C

CrossCode

2018 · Action

16,244 reviews · 92% positive

Action RPG Pixel Graphics RPG Female Protagonist Puzzle
C

Changed

2018 · Adventure

15,875 reviews · 86% positive

Cute DifficultSexual ContentPsychological Horror Puzzle
S

Serious Sam 4

2020 · Action

15,495 reviews · 83% positive

Action Gore FPSCo-opShooter
H

Hyper Light Drifter

2016 · Action

15,380 reviews · 93% positive

Pixel GraphicsGreat SoundtrackAtmosphericAdventureIndie
F

Five Nights at Freddy's 4

2015 · Action

15,292 reviews · 93% positive

Horror Survival HorrorSingleplayerFirst-Person Robots
C

Cat Goes Fishing

2015 · Casual

15,263 reviews · 94% positive

Fishing Cats Casual CuteSingleplayer
G

Gold Mining Simulator

2017 · Indie

15,016 reviews · 73% positive

Simulation MiningSingleplayerRealistic Open World
T

Tails of Iron

2021 · Action

14,896 reviews · 88% positive

Action RPG Souls-like2DAdventure Action-Adventure
S

Spelunky

2013 · Indie

14,631 reviews · 92% positive

Platformer Rogue-like Action RoguelikeIndieDifficult
C

Clustertruck

2016 · Action

14,611 reviews · 94% positive

Parkour Automobile Sim Action First-Person 3D Platformer
K

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

2015 · Indie

14,246 reviews · 97% positive

Co-opLocal Multiplayer Puzzle Party Game Board Game
R

Rogue Legacy 2

2022 · Action

14,187 reviews · 91% positive

Arcade Metroidvania Platformer ActionIndie
S

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

2014 · Action

14,161 reviews · 95% positive

Platformer Pixel Graphics RetroGreat SoundtrackIndie
E

Exanima

2015 · Action

13,753 reviews · 80% positive

Physics RPG Dark Fantasy Dungeon Crawler Medieval
T

Touhou Luna Nights

2019 · Action

13,706 reviews · 97% positive

Metroidvania Difficult Side Scroller Exploration Bullet Hell
S

Session: Skate Sim

2022 · Indie

13,392 reviews · 83% positive

SkateboardingSports SimulationSingleplayerIndie
O

Overcooked

2016 · Action

13,373 reviews · 90% positive

Local Co-OpMultiplayerLocal MultiplayerCo-opCasual
A

Across the Obelisk

2022 · Adventure

13,019 reviews · 81% positive

Rogue-like Strategy2DFantasy Roguelike Deckbuilder
M

Mini Metro

2015 · Indie

12,708 reviews · 96% positive

Strategy Puzzle Minimalist Simulation Trains
C

Chrono Ark

2024 · Adventure

12,549 reviews · 91% positive

Roguelike Deckbuilder Anime RPG StrategyIndie
J

Jump King

2019 · Action

12,235 reviews · 90% positive

Psychological Horror Difficult Precision PlatformerIndiePixel Graphics
B

Barony

2015 · Action

12,219 reviews · 91% positive

Dungeon Crawler Action RoguelikeOnline Co-OpFantasy Rogue-like
C

Caves of Qud

2024 · Adventure

11,720 reviews · 95% positive

Procedural Generation Turn-Based Combat Open World Turn-BasedTranshumanism
A

Absolver

2017 · Action

11,461 reviews · 73% positive

Fighting Martial Arts ActionMultiplayerPvP
R

Rabbit and Steel

2024 · Action

11,420 reviews · 97% positive

Co-opBullet Hell Action Roguelike Cute Anime
F

Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location

2016 · Action

11,387 reviews · 90% positive

Horror Survival HorrorSingleplayerRobots First-Person
F

Furi

2016 · Action

11,165 reviews · 90% positive

Bullet Hell Hack and Slash Difficult Shoot 'Em Up Beat 'em up
R

Rabi-Ribi

2016 · Action

10,751 reviews · 95% positive

Anime Metroidvania Bullet Hell Female Protagonist Pixel Graphics
G

Granny

2018 · Adventure

10,371 reviews · 94% positive

Horror Survival HorrorMultiplayerFirst-PersonSingleplayer
M

Monster Sanctuary

2020 · Action

10,325 reviews · 91% positive

Creature Collector Pixel Graphics Metroidvania Turn-Based TacticsSingleplayer
F

Five Nights at Freddy's 3

2015 · Action

10,290 reviews · 90% positive

HorrorSingleplayerSurvival Horror Robots First-Person
T

Trombone Champ

2022 · Casual

10,229 reviews · 98% positive

Rhythm Comedy Funny Music Cute
T

Tiny Rogues

2022 · Action

10,157 reviews · 96% positive

Action Roguelike Bullet Hell Top-Down Shooter Replay Value Difficult
K

Kindergarten

2017 · Adventure

10,118 reviews · 97% positive

Funny Gore Pixel GraphicsSingleplayerViolent
S

SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising

2018 · Action

10,099 reviews · 94% positive

Top-Down Shooter Rogue-liteIndieAction Action Roguelike
E

EVERSPACE™

2017 · Action

9,783 reviews · 78% positive

Space Action Roguelike ActionIndieSci-fi
P

Pathologic 2

2019 · Adventure

9,478 reviews · 92% positive

Story RichAtmosphericChoices Matter RPG Difficult
D

Dungeon of the ENDLESS™

2014 · Adventure

9,404 reviews · 85% positive

Rogue-like Strategy Tower Defense Pixel GraphicsIndie
O

Octodad: Dadliest Catch

2014 · Action

9,058 reviews · 94% positive

Comedy Physics FunnyIndieFamily Friendly
D

Death Road to Canada

2016 · Action

9,018 reviews · 93% positive

Pixel Graphics Zombies Action RoguelikeLocal Co-OpSurvival
W

Windblown

2024 · Action

8,964 reviews · 89% positive

Early AccessAction Roguelike Hack and Slash ActionIndie
S

SULFUR

2024 · Action

8,939 reviews · 87% positive

Early AccessAction Roguelike FPS Dungeon Crawler Rogue-lite
M

Monster Train 2

2025 · Indie

8,528 reviews · 95% positive

Strategy Card Game Rogue-like Turn-Based Strategy Turn-Based Tactics
E

Elin

2024 · Indie

8,251 reviews · 93% positive

Early AccessCharacter Customization Open World Rogue-like JRPG
E

Endzone - A World Apart

2021 · Indie

8,232 reviews · 77% positive

City Builder Survival Strategy Post-apocalyptic Simulation
M

Melatonin

2022 · Action

8,145 reviews · 94% positive

RhythmIndieCute Hand-drawn Colorful
W

We Who Are About To Die

2022 · Action

8,085 reviews · 88% positive

Early AccessIndieAction Roguelike Rogue-lite Simulation
5

5D Chess With Multiverse Time Travel

2020 · Indie

8,050 reviews · 97% positive

ChessTime Travel Time Manipulation Board Game Difficult
T

The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos

2020 · Action

8,027 reviews · 87% positive

RPG Turn-Based Tactics Adventure Turn-BasedSingleplayer
S

Slender: The Arrival

2013 · Action

7,879 reviews · 88% positive

Horror Survival Horror First-PersonMultiplayerIndie
P

Partisans 1941

2020 · Indie

7,489 reviews · 82% positive

Strategy Real Time Tactics World War II Stealth Tactical
K

Kingdom Rush Origins - Tower Defense

2018 · Indie

7,367 reviews · 96% positive

Tower Defense Strategy2DSingleplayerDifficult
I

Iratus: Lord of the Dead

2020 · Indie

7,181 reviews · 86% positive

RPG StrategyIndieTurn-Based Combat Rogue-like
U

UFO 50

2024 · Action

7,043 reviews · 95% positive

IndiePixel Graphics Action Retro Strategy
U

UnderRail

2015 · Indie

6,326 reviews · 86% positive

RPG Post-apocalyptic Isometric Turn-Based CRPG
T

Turbo Overkill

2023 · Action

6,319 reviews · 94% positive

FPS Boomer Shooter Action Cyberpunk Shooter
T

Tales of Maj'Eyal

2013 · Adventure

6,272 reviews · 95% positive

Traditional Roguelike Rogue-like Turn-Based Dungeon Crawler Perma Death
O

Overgrowth

2017 · Action

6,233 reviews · 81% positive

Action ParkourIndieMartial Arts Sandbox
H

Hot Lava

2019 · Action

6,152 reviews · 93% positive

Precision Platformer 3D Platformer Parkour Racing Exploration
S

Shogun Showdown

2024 · Indie

6,097 reviews · 95% positive

Replay Value Strategy RPG Turn-Based Rogue-like Pixel Graphics
O

One Step From Eden

2020 · Action

6,024 reviews · 93% positive

Action Roguelike Difficult Rogue-lite Card Battler Deckbuilding
R

Rift of the NecroDancer

2025 · Action

5,994 reviews · 94% positive

RhythmMinigamesFemale Protagonist Difficult Music
O

Opus Magnum

2017 · Indie

5,848 reviews · 97% positive

Puzzle Programming AutomationIndieSimulation
L

Long Live The Queen

2013 · Indie

5,821 reviews · 95% positive

Visual Novel Political Sim Anime Female Protagonist Simulation
B

Brigador: Up-Armored Edition

2016 · Action

5,794 reviews · 93% positive

Twin Stick Shooter Action Top-Down Shooter Mechs Difficult
A

Axiom Verge

2015 · Action

5,785 reviews · 90% positive

MetroidvaniaIndiePixel Graphics Platformer Action
Q

Quasimorph

2023 · Action

5,550 reviews · 84% positive

Early AccessExtraction ShooterSimulation Turn-Based Rogue-like
A

art of rally

2020 · Action

5,520 reviews · 92% positive

Racing Driving Physics Sports Difficult
A

Astral Ascent

2023 · Action

5,345 reviews · 95% positive

Action Roguelike Rogue-lite Hack and SlashIndieAtmospheric
C

Cave Story+

2011 · Action

5,156 reviews · 93% positive

Platformer MetroidvaniaIndieGreat SoundtrackPixel Graphics
M

Mr.President!

2016 · Action

4,931 reviews · 83% positive

Memes Funny Realistic Politics Simulation
F

Freedom Planet

2014 · Action

4,891 reviews · 95% positive

PlatformerGreat SoundtrackAction Female Protagonist2D
P

Patrick's Parabox

2022 · Casual

4,885 reviews · 99% positive

Puzzle Sokoban Logic Minimalist Abstract
W

World of Goo

2008 · Indie

4,807 reviews · 94% positive

PuzzleIndiePhysicsSingleplayerGreat Soundtrack
T

Tattletail

2016 · Action

4,604 reviews · 95% positive

Horror First-Person Survival HorrorSingleplayer1990's
T

The Last Faith

2023 · Action

4,581 reviews · 84% positive

Metroidvania Souls-like Pixel Graphics Violent Dark Fantasy
G

GRIME

2021 · Action

4,576 reviews · 85% positive

Metroidvania Souls-like Platformer Dark Fantasy Difficult
2

20XX

2017 · Action

4,572 reviews · 91% positive

Platformer Action Roguelike Action 2D Platformer Rogue-lite
R

Roguebook

2021 · Adventure

4,535 reviews · 84% positive

RPGIndieCard Game Deckbuilding Strategy
R

Ratopia

2025 · Adventure

4,513 reviews · 88% positive

Building Colony Sim Base-Building Survival Difficult
O

Othercide

2020 · Indie

4,474 reviews · 82% positive

StrategyIndieTurn-Based Tactics Female Protagonist Turn-Based Combat
H

Heavenly Bodies

2021 · Action

4,458 reviews · 95% positive

Physics DifficultLocal Co-OpSpace Adventure
N

NEO Scavenger

2014 · Indie

4,426 reviews · 90% positive

Survival Post-apocalyptic Rogue-like RPG Turn-Based
T

TIS-100

2015 · Indie

4,091 reviews · 97% positive

Programming PuzzleIndieSimulation Difficult
E

Electrician Simulator

2022 · Adventure

3,946 reviews · 80% positive

SimulationEducationImmersive Sim First-PersonIndie
S

Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice

2021 · Indie

3,942 reviews · 93% positive

Real Time Tactics Strategy Isometric Stealth Action
S

SHENZHEN I/O

2016 · Indie

3,718 reviews · 95% positive

Programming Automation Puzzle Logic Simulation
M

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree

2025 · Action

3,661 reviews · 76% positive

Violent Action RPG RPG Souls-like Dark Fantasy
G

GemCraft - Chasing Shadows

2015 · Action

3,636 reviews · 95% positive

Tower Defense StrategyIndieSingleplayerAction
S

SWORN

2025 · Action

3,613 reviews · 80% positive

Early AccessRogue-liteIndieCo-opAction Roguelike
P

Peaks of Yore

2023 · Action

3,546 reviews · 97% positive

Difficult Physics Adventure Psychological Horror Exploration
W

Welcome to the Game II

2018 · Indie

3,497 reviews · 84% positive

Horror Hacking Strategy Psychological Horror Simulation
E

Exit the Gungeon

2020 · Action

3,388 reviews · 74% positive

Arcade ActionIndieAdventure Bullet Hell
H

HELLCARD

2024 · Adventure

3,347 reviews · 86% positive

Co-opRogue-like Card Battler RPG Rogue-lite
Z

Zombie Night Terror

2016 · Action

3,334 reviews · 93% positive

Zombies Strategy Pixel GraphicsIndieAction
T

The End Is Nigh

2017 · Action

3,267 reviews · 94% positive

Precision Platformer PlatformerIndieDifficultGreat Soundtrack
S

ScourgeBringer

2020 · Action

3,256 reviews · 86% positive

IndieAction Adventure Rogue-lite Pixel Graphics
V

Void Stranger

2023 · Adventure

3,230 reviews · 91% positive

Mystery Puzzle Sokoban AdventureSingleplayer
S

Star of Providence

2017 · Action

3,157 reviews · 97% positive

Rogue-lite Bullet Hell Action Roguelike Shoot 'Em UpIndie
B

Bio Inc. Redemption

2018 · Indie

2,988 reviews · 87% positive

Medical SimOutbreak SimSimulation Strategy Management
M

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell

2024 · Action

2,983 reviews · 92% positive

Metroidvania Anime Pixel Graphics Action-Adventure2D
A

Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles

2023 · Casual

2,979 reviews · 92% positive

DiceRoguelike Deckbuilder Card Battler Rogue-like Card Game
I

Intravenous

2021 · Action

2,845 reviews · 90% positive

Stealth Tactical Difficult Assassin Top-Down Shooter
E

Enotria: The Last Song

2024 · Action

2,708 reviews · 69% positive

Souls-like RPG DifficultSingleplayerAtmospheric
G

GemCraft - Frostborn Wrath

2020 · Action

2,675 reviews · 89% positive

Tower Defense Difficult RTS Strategy2D
S

SpaceChem

2011 · Indie

2,617 reviews · 92% positive

Puzzle Difficult ProgrammingIndieLogic
O

Ostranauts

2020 · Indie

2,598 reviews · 81% positive

Early AccessTop-Down Cyberpunk Open World Simulation
Z

ZeroRanger

2018 · Action

2,208 reviews · 96% positive

Shoot 'Em UpIndieActionGreat SoundtrackBullet Hell
I

Ikaruga

2014 · Action

2,180 reviews · 95% positive

Shoot 'Em Up Bullet Hell Arcade Classic Action
L

La-Mulana

2013 · Action

2,058 reviews · 80% positive

Metroidvania Difficult PlatformerIndieAdventure
S

Shattered Pixel Dungeon

2022 · Adventure

2,036 reviews · 95% positive

Traditional Roguelike Dungeon Crawler Rogue-like Turn-Based RPG
U

Ultimate Admiral: Age of Sail

2021 · Indie

1,999 reviews · 79% positive

Strategy SimulationIndieNaval Combat Naval
S

Slackers - Carts of Glory

2024 · Action

1,956 reviews · 91% positive

IndieSimulation Casual Driving Funny
W

Wizard of Legend 2

2025 · Action

1,950 reviews · 52% positive

Early AccessAction RoguelikeOnline Co-OpDungeon Crawler Hack and Slash
T

The Chef's Shift

2025 · Casual

1,866 reviews · 98% positive

CookingTypingTime Management Crime Simulation
S

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

2015 · Action

1,834 reviews · 93% positive

Platformer Metroidvania Female ProtagonistGreat Soundtrack2D
I

Infinifactory

2015 · Indie

1,787 reviews · 95% positive

Puzzle Building AutomationIndieProgramming
T

Timelie

2020 · Adventure

1,778 reviews · 94% positive

Puzzle-Platformer Puzzle Female Protagonist Time Manipulation Isometric
T

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

2025 · Action

1,711 reviews · 79% positive

Action RPG Souls-like Difficult Combat Dark Fantasy
V

Vagrus - The Riven Realms

2021 · Indie

1,682 reviews · 85% positive

Story Rich Open WorldDungeons & DragonsNarrative Strategy RPG
R

Rusted Moss

2023 · Action

1,663 reviews · 89% positive

Platformer Pixel Graphics Action Story Rich Adventure
T

The Void Rains Upon Her Heart

2018 · Action

1,621 reviews · 99% positive

Action Roguelike Bullet HellIndieShoot 'Em Up Action
T

Touhou Fuujinroku ~ Mountain of Faith.

2020 · Action

1,577 reviews · 98% positive

IndieAction Bullet Hell Shoot 'Em UpGreat Soundtrack
S

Stephen's Sausage Roll

2016 · Indie

1,567 reviews · 95% positive

PuzzleIndieDifficultSingleplayerSokoban
1

14 Minesweeper Variants

2022 · Casual

1,566 reviews · 97% positive

Puzzle Logic Minimalist Experimental Casual
T

Touhou Kanjuden ~ Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom.

2019 · Action

1,492 reviews · 98% positive

Bullet Hell DifficultGreat SoundtrackFaithIndie
L

Laysara: Summit Kingdom

2026 · Indie

1,389 reviews · 82% positive

Strategy City Builder Resource Management Colony Sim Building
E

EXAPUNKS

2018 · Indie

1,365 reviews · 95% positive

Programming Puzzle Hacking AutomationIndie
T

Topple Tactics

2023 · Action

1,358 reviews · 88% positive

Physics Comedy Colorful Tower DefenseMultiplayer
D

Dark Deception

2018 · Action

1,327 reviews · 88% positive

HorrorFree to PlayMultiplayerSingleplayerFirst-Person
S

Scrutinized

2020 · Indie

1,293 reviews · 89% positive

Simulation Horror Detective Survival Hacking
J

JUMP KING QUEST

2026 · Action

1,228 reviews · 88% positive

Early AccessMultiplayerSouls-like Precision Platformer Metroidvania
I

Infectonator 3: Apocalypse

2018 · Indie

1,227 reviews · 83% positive

Outbreak SimIndieZombies Strategy Simulation
M

Moonscars

2022 · Action

1,200 reviews · 83% positive

Action Metroidvania Souls-like Pixel Graphics Action-Adventure
P

Paquerette Down the Bunburrows

2023 · Adventure

1,107 reviews · 96% positive

Pixel Graphics LogicSingleplayerSokoban Puzzle
L

La-Mulana 2

2018 · Action

1,071 reviews · 86% positive

Action-Adventure Metroidvania Puzzle-Platformer Souls-like Difficult
T

Those Who Rule

2025 · Indie

1,060 reviews · 90% positive

Tactical RPG Turn-Based Tactics RPG Strategy RPG Turn-Based Strategy
T

Touhou Kikeijuu ~ Wily Beast and Weakest Creature.

2019 · Action

1,056 reviews · 97% positive

IndieBullet HellGreat SoundtrackShoot 'Em Up Faith
S

Scene Investigators

2023 · Adventure

1,020 reviews · 75% positive

Investigation Mystery Puzzle Logic Crime
S

Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope

2019 · Action

1,000 reviews · 94% positive

Action AdventureIndiePlatformer Pixel Graphics
G

Ghost Song

2022 · Action

985 reviews · 83% positive

Metroidvania Sci-fi2DActionAtmospheric
T

The Doors of Trithius

2021 · Indie

947 reviews · 94% positive

Simulation Traditional Roguelike Rogue-like Open World Procedural Generation
S

SNØ: Ultimate Freeriding

2025 · Action

893 reviews · 97% positive

SingleplayerSkiingMinimalist Simulation Procedural Generation
B

BLUE REVOLVER

2016 · Action

817 reviews · 98% positive

Shoot 'Em Up Bullet HellIndieAction Arcade
L

Lingo

2021 · Adventure

815 reviews · 94% positive

IndiePuzzle First-Person Exploration Surreal
X

XENOTILT: HOSTILE PINBALL ACTION

2024 · Action

729 reviews · 97% positive

Bullet Hell Shoot 'Em Up Difficult Hack and Slash Physics
3

3dSen PC

2025 · Action

555 reviews · 91% positive

Platformer Adventure Remake Action Retro
S

Savara

2025 · Action

551 reviews · 88% positive

Action Roguelike Dungeon Crawler Souls-like RPG Action
L

Lingo 2

2025 · Adventure

431 reviews · 93% positive

Puzzle Adventure Nonlinear Exploration Word Game
S

Sonny Legacy Collection

2024 · Action

325 reviews · 91% positive

RPG Strategy Turn-Based Combat Story RichIndie
M

MEMOLITH: Forsaken by Light

2026 · Indie

209 reviews · 77% positive

Early AccessTactical RPG Strategy RPG Turn-Based Strategy Pixel Graphics
R

Realm of the Mad God Exalt

2012 · Action

193 reviews · 83% positive

Pixel Graphics MMORPGFree to PlayRogue-like Perma Death

Frequently asked questions

What are the best difficult indie games?: By Steam review count, indielist ranks 234 tracked difficult indie games led by Geometry Dash (580,332 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.