9. Bloodborne
FromSoftware's latest iteration on the Souls formula produced this fantastically unique gem; a game that's got enough budgetary clout to hang with the heavyweights in the graphics department, but retains inbuilt difficulty born from the same awkward combat system shown before that forces you to literally adapt or die. By comparison to the other Souls titles it's not too hard overall - but the intro sequence that sees you attempt to battle through what feels like a hundred enemies and a boss before you even touch the following checkpoint is pure agony. Assumedly this section was included to separate those who really want to get stuck in to the unlucky bunch who bought it off the back of Sony's adverts that showed it as a Van Helsing-styled God of War - but still, everything within Bloodborne is purpose-built to be a satisfying acquired taste of the most initially off-putting kind.