---
title: "Best Challenging Games | Belly Score"
url: https://bellyscore.com/best/vibe/challenging
description: "The best Challenging games ranked by Belly Score. Browse games with a Challenging vibe, scored by The Belly."
lang: en
---

# Best Challenging Games

The best Challenging games ranked by Belly Score. Browse games with a Challenging vibe, scored by The Belly.

Games tagged with a Challenging vibe, ranked by Belly Score. Vibe tags describe how a game feels to play — the mood and texture of the experience — so this list groups titles that share that Challenging energy even across different genres. Browse to find games that hit the Challenging note you're after, scored and verdict-ready.

191 games

9.9

### BALDUR'S GATE 3

RPG · Adventure · Strategy

PC · PlayStation · Xbox

Adventurous Exploratory Discovery-Driven +18
https://bellyscore.com/game/baldur-s-gate-3

9.9

### ELDEN RING: SHADOW OF THE ERDTREE

Action · RPG · Adventure

PC · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S

Dark Fantasy Mythology Monsters +1

Adventurous Discovery-Driven Atmospheric +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree

9.8

### Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

Action · RPG

Nintendo 3DS

Fantasy Monsters Nature / Wilderness

Adventurous Intense Challenging +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/monster-hunter-4-ultimate

9.8

### Celeste

Platformer · Adventure

Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S · PC · macOS · Linux · Google Stadia

Psychological

Challenging Precision-Focused Emotional +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/celeste

9.8

### ALAN WAKE 2

Action · Horror · Adventure

PC · PlayStation · Xbox

Mysterious Exploratory Discovery-Driven +14
https://bellyscore.com/game/alan-wake-2

9.8

### Slay the Spire

RPG · Strategy · Adventure

PC (Microsoft Windows) · macOS · Linux · Android · iOS · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch

Fantasy Dark Fantasy Monsters

Challenging Brutal Strategic +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/slay-the-spire

9.8

### Dark Souls

Action RPG · Adventure

PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360 · Microsoft Windows · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch

Dark Fantasy Post-Apocalyptic Monsters +1

Mysterious Dark Challenging +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/dark-souls

9.8

### Terraria

Action · Adventure · Sandbox

PC · PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · Xbox 360 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X · Nintendo Switch · Wii U · Nintendo 3DS · Android · iOS · Linux · macOS · Windows Phone · Stadia

Fantasy Monsters Nature / Wilderness

Adventurous Exploratory Challenging +2
https://bellyscore.com/game/terraria

9.8

### DARK SOULS III

Action · RPG · Adventure

PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · PC

Dark Fantasy Post-Apocalyptic Monsters

Dark Bleak Challenging +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/dark-souls-3

9.8

### Elden Ring

Action · RPG · Adventure

PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S · PC · Nintendo Switch 2

Dark Fantasy Mythology Monsters +1

Adventurous Discovery-Driven Epic +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/elden-ring

9.8

### Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

Action · Adventure

PlayStation 2 · PC · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One

Dark Fantasy Supernatural Monsters

Intense Fast-Paced Adrenaline-Fueled +2
https://bellyscore.com/game/devil-may-cry-3-dante-s-awakening

9.8

### DoDonPachi DaiOuJou

Shooter

Arcade · PlayStation 2 · Xbox 360 · iOS · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · PC

Sci-Fi Futuristic Robots / Mechs +1

Intense Fast-Paced Challenging +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/dodonpachi-dai-ou-jou

9.7

### Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

Action · Platformer

PC Engine Super CD-ROM² · PlayStation Portable · Wii · PlayStation 4

Dark Fantasy Gothic Vampires +1

Challenging Brutal Precision-Focused +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/castlevania-rondo-of-blood

9.7

### CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR

Action · FPS

PC · PlayStation · Xbox

Adventurous Immersive Dark +11
https://bellyscore.com/game/call-of-duty-world-at-war

9.7

### DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou

Shooter

Arcade · Xbox 360 · Nintendo Switch

Sci-Fi Robots / Mechs Space

Intense Fast-Paced Chaotic +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/dodonpachi-saidaioujou

9.7

### The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

Action · RPG · Action-Adventure

Windows · macOS · Linux · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · New Nintendo 3DS · Wii U · Xbox One · iOS · Nintendo Switch

Dark / Grim Surreal Psychological +1

Creepy Dark Challenging +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/the-binding-of-isaac-rebirth

9.7

### Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

Fighting

Arcade · Dreamcast · PlayStation 2 · Xbox · PlayStation 3 · Xbox 360

Martial Arts Modern

Competitive Challenging Intense +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/street-fighter-iii-3rd-strike

9.7

### Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

Action · Adventure · Platformer

Windows · macOS · Linux · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Nintendo 3DS · Wii U

Fantasy Medieval

Adventurous Challenging Precision-Focused +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/shovel-knight-treasure-trove

9.7

### Ikaruga

Shooter · Puzzle

Arcade · Dreamcast · Nintendo GameCube · Xbox 360 · PC · Nintendo Switch · PlayStation 4 · Android

Sci-Fi Futuristic

Intense Challenging Precision-Focused +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/ikaruga

9.7

### Touhou 8: Imperishable Night

Shooter

PC

Fantasy Mythology Folklore +1

Intense Fast-Paced Chaotic +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/touhou-8-imperishable-night

9.7

### CASTLEVANIA: ARIA OF SORROW

Action · Action RPG · Adventure · Platformer

Game Boy Advance · Game Boy Advance SP · Game Boy Micro · Nintendo Wii U · Nintendo

Fantasy Dark Fantasy Supernatural +7

Adventurous Exploratory Discovery-Driven +26
https://bellyscore.com/game/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow

9.7

### ABIOTIC FACTOR

Action · RPG · Adventure · Sandbox · Simulation

PC · PlayStation · Xbox

Exploratory Discovery-Driven Creepy +16
https://bellyscore.com/game/abiotic-factor

9.7

### BLOONS TOWER DEFENSE 6

Strategy

PC · PlayStation · Xbox · Mobile

Exploratory Relaxing Chill +14
https://bellyscore.com/game/bloons-tower-defense-6

9.6

### Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

Action · Shooter

Windows · macOS · Linux · PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation Vita · Nintendo Switch · Xbox One · Xbox Series X/S · PlayStation 5 · Stadia

Crime Psychological Surreal +1

Intense Fast-Paced Challenging +3
https://bellyscore.com/game/hotline-miami-2-wrong-number

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