10 Great Video Games Whose Later Levels Are Absolute Torture

It's fair to say that we expect video games to be challenging. Difficulty and challenge are key gameplay features just like running and jumping; if games were too easy, their value as entertainment would have a limit. It's one reason why video games are such a popular medium nowadays; that level of accomplishment simply can't be matched by books or films.

Some games revel in inspiring gamers to rise to a challenge though. Some games developers have created sadistic methods of virtual torture for us to endure; games that are both great or addictive but present an immense challenge which requires hours and hours of endless practice to beat.

To be fair, many developers avoid 'cheap' methods of creating frustration; as when it feels like the game is purposefully making you lose, you'll quickly grow tired of it. Instead, there's a variety of games that could easily be described as the best in their genre which provide a fair but foul challenge - titles that have you hurling controllers at walls whilst also encouraging you to try just one more time.

The idea of a difficulty curve is perfectly illustrated by the ten games on this list. These are games that ease you into their world; teaching you the techniques and skills you'll need to survive later levels. Then, before you're fully prepared, they pull the floor out from underneath you and suddenly you're in a world of pain. Tough jumps; powerful enemies; gigantic bosses; you name it, these games will throw it at you. Still, despite their torturous later levels, they never stop being anything less than great.