10 Brutally Hard Areas Hidden In Video Games

Back to the original Dark Souls now and its infamously punishing Painted World of Ariamis, which can be accessed by interacting with the large painting on the bottom floor of Anor Londo's chapel while having the Peculiar Doll doll key in your possession.

The big kicker in that you're unable to leave easily once entering, which is presumably why a) it's a secret level and b) fighting the boss, Crossbreed Priscilla, is entirely optional to your escape.

If you start fighting her, though, you'll need to finish the job, and while she's hardly one of the game's tougher bosses, the Painted World is on the whole absolutely filled with treacherous monsters that'll make short work of you.

Despite being one of the series' most compelling locations to date, it's also a major pain in the ass.