10 Video Games Impossible To Beat Without A Guide

The Professor Layton games have the advantage over other puzzle and riddle games by actually having a serialized narrative with high quality animated cutscenes featuring charming characters that keep you engaged throughout. And all of that started with Professor Layton and the Curious Village.

I put this one here over the others because it is, without a doubt, the hardest entry in the entire franchise. The puzzles were designed by the famed puzzle master, Akira Tago, and series creator Akihiro Hino. Riddle masters in their own right, but working together, you'll find yourself scratching your head at the third puzzle, and having to keep detailed notes and graphs on both your DS and any paper lying around by the end.

Naturally, some are better at brain teasers than others, and if you're one of those unlucky souls who goes cross eyed at 5th grade algebra, then you'll be looking up walkthroughs and guides five minutes in.

Curious Village's problem is inconsistent escalation. Some puzzles you go out of your way to find or find at the end of the game are super easy, while the third or fourth puzzle will leave you nibbling your stylus for hours. A problem that the later games fix, which is why many fans decry them as being "too easy". But the first game absolutely needs a guide to help you get through.