10 Video Games With Incredibly Steep Learning Curves

The X-Com franchise has been touted as one of the best gaming franchises of all time, with the first, X-COM: UFO Defense, often ranking number one in the "all-time greatest" category.

Since the first game hit PCs in 1994, it's been expanded and has released 12 sequels, with the most recent one, XCOM 2, hitting store shelves in 2016.

The games are set up as a real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, squad-based tactics, construction and management simulation, simulator, space flight simulator, 3rd-person shooter, 1st-person shooter, action-adventure, and action role-playing game so there isn't one format to rule them all.

Each game has its challenges, but one feature they all possess is an incredibly steep learning curve. If you're not already a master of strategy games, you may want to hold off on some of the earlier titles in the franchise, or you may end up breaking your controller as you rip your hair out.

There are so many variables to how the game is played, and how a player can get through any situation, there's really no right way to do things. You can read up on guides online, or watch videos, but each player has to tackle any game in the X-COM franchise their own way, which makes it pretty difficult to master.