1. Dark Souls - Persistence Pays Off
Dark Souls is probably the most difficult video game I have played in the last decade, at least since I braved my way through Ninja Gaiden. It is an infamously challenging game that doesn't pander to the player, though at the same time doesn't defeat them through unfair means; I might have become infuriated throughout, but never did I feel that the game was being cheap in order to distend itself. There's nothing more satisfying than when you manage to scrape your way through a tough battle you've tried to beat 20 times, and this helps to remind us of one classic maxim - if at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again. Practice makes perfect; each game has an end-game goal in mind, and one that you positively can achieve if you try hard enough, and while that might not be much comfort during the very hardest sections, it is something important to remember so that your sanity doesn't crumble away during brutal games like this. It's good advice for life, too; don't be too disappointed if you fail once, because it can be a good learning experience. Take that failure and turn it into a win next time, or the time after, or 20 times after. Which video game has taught you the most? Let us know in the comments below.