10 Games That Seem Easy To Beat But Are Deceptively Difficult

When gamers normally think of difficult titles, images of games like Dark Souls, Nioh, or Darkest Dungeon come to mind. These games let players know that they’re in for a world of hurt right from the opening sequences, practically proclaiming that they will die over and over again. However, other titles take a much more subtle approach.

There are plenty of games out there that make their difficulty known from the outset, but some lure players into a false sense of confidence before laying down the hammer. Call it creative, call it deception, but it’s certainly one method to make a game memorable, for better or for worse.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

At first glance, this classic for the original NES might appear to be the standard cartoon tie-in with everyone’s favorite pizza-chomping Heroes in a Halfshell, but that guise is soon removed after the first few levels. The game is a relentless action-platformer that will have some players snapping their controllers.

Perhaps the most infamous example of the game’s difficulty is the water level with the electrified seaweed, which has no doubt sent many players to a watery grave numerous times. It will take more than ninja skills to beat this Nintendo-hard title.

Hollow Knight

While not the most difficult Metroidvania, its Tim-Burton-esque design and cute bug characters probably don’t strike most as intimidating features. That being said, this deep and complex adventure has been compared to Dark Souls in terms of difficulty and challenge.

The game is certainly dark and sometimes depressing in its design, but the world of Hollownest can be maneuvered if the players are properly prepared. That being said, many of the bosses can put up an unfair fight, like the Mantis Lords. Of course, going into battle with only a nail and a mana pool will definitely crank the game’s difficulty up to the max.

Crash Bandicoot

The Crash Bandicoot series is a gaming classic from the PS1 era known for its colorful characters, comedic visuals, and its surprising difficulty. While it might look like a kids’ game from the outside, players who have experienced the title know its platforming stages can be positively brutal.

Easy to pick up but hard to master, Crash will test players’ patience and skills. While its cartoonish appearance might draw players in, it also disguises the world of hurt they’re in for right from the very first levels.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

If there’s one beat-em-up game that truly understands the ins and outs of the genre, it’s Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. Blending classic brawling with a sprinkling of RPG action helped it stand out from others in the genre. However, the “Average Joe” level is an outright lie to gamers looking to play by themselves.

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It takes a few rounds of grinding to get ready enough for levels as early as World 4, but that doesn’t detract from the fun. If anything, the arcadey action is what keeps players coming back for more and more.

Celeste

The term “deceptively deep” is a great way to describe Celeste and all its 16-bit glory. Despite its retro-inspired graphics, cute characters, and classic gameplay, Celeste is a punishing platformer that can be as steep as the mountain Madeline has to conquer. Although the visuals might call games like Ice Climber to mind, this is the kind of platforming Super Meat Boy might tackle.

Noted for its unique dash mechanic, players have to transverse a number of different perils and obstacles to reach the summit. Pair that with an emotional story about mental health, loss, and communication, and it’s a recipe for an ending that is well-worth that difficult climb.

Spelunky Series

Taking inspiration from vintage titles like La-Mulana and Spelunker, this explorative platform game series might have the designs of a cutesy cartoon, but there are more than a few perilous pitfalls deep in the underground ruins. Players might go in feeling like Indiana Jones, but they might limp to the nearest merchant for upgrades after a few dives.

Collecting treasure and expanding the map might sound easy enough, but when traps, winding paths, and a list of different enemies stand in the way, things could get hairy. Like Hollow Knight, players definitely have more of a chance if they know how to plan their equipment.

The Lion King

There was a time when Disney made a plethora of incredible movie games, each known for its fun nature and level of challenge. But there is one game that stands out from the rest due to its sudden difficulty spike and reputation amongst players, The Lion King.

Simba just can’t wait to be king, but players will discover that getting to the top of Pride Rock is easier said than done. Known for its infamous monkey puzzle, the game takes a sharp turn after the first, remarkably easy, level. After that, players will truly have to earn their crown if they want to take their place in the circle of life.

Super Mario Maker Series

Mario’s games might not be the first thing gamers think of when they want an exceptionally difficult experience, but the Mario Maker titles will have even the most seasoned veterans of the franchise clutching at their controllers in exasperation. While Nintendo equips the game with plenty of premade content, the control has been passed to the fans and the results are certainly remarkable.

Not since the Lost Levels has Mario been so exceedingly difficult. A nice jaunt through the Mushroom Kingdom can easily become a sprint for survival if a creator is feeling sadistic enough. It gives new meaning to the phrase “power to the players.”

Super Ghouls N’ Ghosts

It might look like a spooky platformer game with cartoony graphics and designs, but as any retro gamer knows, the Ghosts N’ Goblins/Ghouls N’ Ghosts series is perhaps one of the most difficult platformers on the market. While the NES title arguably had a look that matched the Nintendo-hard difficulty, the SNES sequel did not.

Arthur might look to be the valiant knight that would fit right at home in this sort of game, but his shining armor might as well be made of tissue paper. With only two hits till death, all the weapons and powerups in the world won’t be able to save players from a skeletal demise.

Cuphead

A common warning associated with Cuphead is that players should want something that plays like this game and not something that just looks like it. Inspired by classic cartoons of the ’30s and ’40s, the game looks incredible, but it rivals games like Contra and Gradius in terms of gameplay and difficulty.

A boss-rush game with elements of run-and-gun and bullet-hell shooting, the game essentially packs bits and pieces from exceptionally difficult arcade titles and wraps them in a pretty cartoon package. It might look like a colorful and friendly adventure through a cartoon world, but players are in for more than a few devilish deals.

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