10 Video Games That Punish You For Being Curious
9. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - "Do Not Ring This Bell"
I suppose you should really expect additional heck from a game that throws heckloads of heck at you by default, but when Sekiro encounters a mysterious bell which reads, "Do not ring this bell - inviting misfortune is an act of virtue, but only the stoutest of hearts may consider it", curiosity levels saturate to a point even a wooden-armed samurai can't resist.
What does it mean? It's too cryptic to ignore. And, as Sekiro doesn't cheat by Googling it or asking Reddit (because he's a good dude, plus he predates the internet by about 600 years), all he can do is... ring the bell to find out. After all, it's inscribed - it's a virtue.
Aaaand... it curses you.
Like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice wasn't tough enough, now enemies have damage resistance, increased posture resistance, and a bunch of additional buffs to make your katana about as lethal as a kitchen roll tube. In exchange, you get increased loot, sure, but that doesn't mean a thing if you only just barely beat that first big WWE troll dude on regular difficulty.
In a further act of ignorant self-flagellation, if players refuse Kuro's gift at the beginning of the game (and the British among you will attest, it is the default stance to refuse a gift even if you desperately want the item), you will make the game even harder.
So in summary, remember the rhyme you were taught in primary school:
"If a stranger approaches, and offers a demon bell, say 'I've got an ancient talisman'! And all will be well."