Difficult indie games
indielist tracks 225 indie difficult games with the Steam user tag "Difficult", together holding 14,785,372 reviews at an average of 90% positive. The most reviewed is Dota 2 with 2,722,621 reviews.
Tagged titles
225
Total reviews on Steam
14,785,372
Avg positive %
90%
Related tags
Action (38) Adventure (26) Open World (18) Replay Value (16) RPG (16) Strategy (16) Story Rich (15) Exploration (14) Simulation (13) Souls-like (13)
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Geometry Dash
2014 · Action
561,151 reviews · 93% positive
DifficultMusicLevel EditorGreat SoundtrackPrecision Platformer
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Hollow Knight
2017 · Action
488,027 reviews · 97% positive
MetroidvaniaSouls-likePlatformerGreat Soundtrack2D
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Valheim
2021 · Action
453,292 reviews · 94% positive
Open World Survival CraftSurvivalOnline Co-OpOpen WorldMultiplayer
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Don't Starve Together
2016 · Action
367,610 reviews · 95% positive
SurvivalOpen World Survival CraftMultiplayerCo-opOpen World
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Monster Hunter: World
2018 · Action
316,128 reviews · 89% positive
Co-opMultiplayerActionOpen WorldRPG
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DARK SOULS™ III
2016 · Action
276,093 reviews · 94% positive
Souls-likeDark FantasyDifficultRPGAtmospheric
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Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
2019 · Action
254,465 reviews · 95% positive
Souls-likeDifficultActionSingleplayerNinja
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Risk of Rain 2
2020 · Action
236,998 reviews · 94% positive
Third-Person ShooterAction RoguelikeMultiplayerCo-opAction
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Cuphead
2017 · Action
189,840 reviews · 96% positive
DifficultCartoonCo-opPlatformerGreat Soundtrack
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Slay the Spire
2019 · Indie
189,570 reviews · 98% positive
Roguelike DeckbuilderCard GameCard BattlerRogue-likeDeckbuilding
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Balatro
2024 · Casual
155,829 reviews · 98% positive
Card GameRoguelike DeckbuilderRogue-likeDeckbuildingSingleplayer
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Dead Cells
2018 · Action
153,775 reviews · 97% positive
AdventureAction RoguelikeMetroidvaniaPixel GraphicsRogue-like
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Ori and the Will of the Wisps
2020 · Action
134,276 reviews · 97% positive
BeautifulMetroidvaniaPlatformerGreat SoundtrackSingleplayer
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Celeste
2018 · Action
127,326 reviews · 97% positive
Precision PlatformerDifficultPixel GraphicsGreat SoundtrackIndie
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Frostpunk
2018 · Simulation
112,553 reviews · 93% positive
City BuilderSurvivalResource ManagementStrategyPost-apocalyptic
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The Long Dark
2017 · Adventure
110,320 reviews · 89% positive
SurvivalOpen World Survival CraftOpen WorldExplorationAtmospheric
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Hotline Miami
2012 · Action
104,386 reviews · 97% positive
Great SoundtrackViolentActionIndiePixel Graphics
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Outlast
2013 · Action
101,977 reviews · 96% positive
HorrorFirst-PersonSurvival HorrorAtmosphericPsychological Horror
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Enter the Gungeon
2016 · Action
78,499 reviews · 95% positive
Bullet HellAction RoguelikeRogue-likePixel GraphicsDifficult
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STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor™
2023 · Action
77,350 reviews · 71% positive
ActionAdventureSouls-likeSingleplayerThird Person
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A Dance of Fire and Ice
2019 · Indie
76,341 reviews · 94% positive
RhythmMusicDifficultLevel EditorSingleplayer
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Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy
2017 · Action
74,168 reviews · 82% positive
Psychological HorrorDifficultSingleplayerPhysicsPhilosophical
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Papers, Please
2013 · Adventure
72,119 reviews · 97% positive
IndiePoliticalSimulationPoint & ClickSingleplayer
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DEVOUR
2021 · Indie
68,110 reviews · 91% positive
HorrorOnline Co-OpMultiplayerSurvival HorrorSexual Content
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Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
2015 · Action
67,390 reviews · 94% positive
Great SoundtrackGorePixel GraphicsViolentAction
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Katana ZERO
2019 · Action
65,441 reviews · 98% positive
Pixel GraphicsActionGreat SoundtrackStory RichPlatformer
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Pizza Tower
2023 · Action
65,366 reviews · 98% positive
Great Soundtrack2D PlatformerFast-PacedIndieCartoony
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Overcooked! 2
2018 · Action
59,973 reviews · 90% positive
MultiplayerOnline Co-OpLocal Co-OpCo-opCasual
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Plague Inc: Evolved
2016 · Casual
56,431 reviews · 94% positive
StrategySimulationOutbreak SimIndieSingleplayer
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Lies of P
2023 · Action
55,881 reviews · 92% positive
Souls-likeActionDark FantasyAction RPGSingleplayer
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Five Nights at Freddy's
2014 · Indie
52,730 reviews · 94% positive
HorrorSingleplayerSurvival HorrorRobotsPsychological Horror
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Ori and the Blind Forest
2015 · Action
50,579 reviews · 94% positive
Great SoundtrackAtmosphericPlatformerAdventureMetroidvania
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DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT
2020 · Action
43,477 reviews · 93% positive
ActionRPGAnimeOpen WorldMultiplayer
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ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
2021 · Action
42,008 reviews · 94% positive
MetroidvaniaFemale ProtagonistSouls-likeDark FantasySingleplayer
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Return of the Obra Dinn
2018 · Adventure
34,267 reviews · 97% positive
DetectiveMysteryPuzzleStory RichAtmospheric
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The Escapists 2
2017 · Indie
33,458 reviews · 91% positive
MultiplayerStrategyPixel GraphicsOnline Co-OpCo-op
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The Talos Principle
2014 · Action
32,820 reviews · 95% positive
PuzzlePhilosophicalFirst-PersonSci-fiAtmospheric
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Who's Your Daddy?!
2016 · Action
31,689 reviews · 80% positive
FunnyMultiplayerFirst-PersonComedySimulation
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Outward Definitive Edition
2022 · RPG
30,986 reviews · 73% positive
RPGOpen WorldSurvivalCo-opOnline Co-Op
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PICO PARK
2021 · Action
29,765 reviews · 91% positive
MultiplayerOnline Co-OpPuzzle-PlatformerCo-opLocal Co-Op
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Crypt of the NecroDancer
2015 · Action
26,329 reviews · 96% positive
RhythmFemale ProtagonistDifficultRogue-likeGreat Soundtrack
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Five Nights at Freddy's 2
2014 · Indie
25,744 reviews · 94% positive
HorrorSingleplayerSurvival HorrorRobotsPsychological Horror
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Just Shapes & Beats
2018 · Action
25,513 reviews · 98% positive
RhythmGreat SoundtrackMusicBullet HellDifficult
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RuneScape: Dragonwilds
2025 · Action
25,263 reviews · 81% positive
Open WorldSurvivalOpen World Survival CraftMultiplayerEarly Access
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Spelunky 2
2020 · Action
21,712 reviews · 93% positive
Platformer2D PlatformerDifficultOnline Co-OpPerma Death
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Ravenswatch
2024 · Action
21,676 reviews · 80% positive
Rogue-likeCo-opAction RoguelikeActionMultiplayer
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Wizard of Legend
2018 · Action
20,951 reviews · 91% positive
Action RoguelikePixel GraphicsRogue-likeDungeon CrawlerLocal Co-Op
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The Witness
2016 · Adventure
20,816 reviews · 84% positive
PuzzleExplorationFirst-PersonOpen WorldSingleplayer
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FINAL FANTASY® XIII
2014 · RPG
19,513 reviews · 75% positive
JRPGRPGFemale ProtagonistLinearGreat Soundtrack
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Hyper Light Drifter
2016 · Action
18,743 reviews · 93% positive
Pixel GraphicsGreat SoundtrackAtmosphericAdventureIndie
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Changed
2018 · Adventure
18,290 reviews · 86% positive
CuteDifficultSexual ContentPsychological HorrorPuzzle
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ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist
2025 · Action
18,010 reviews · 95% positive
Metroidvania2DSingleplayerDark FantasyAction RPG
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Surgeon Simulator
2013 · Action
16,857 reviews · 82% positive
SimulationFunnyPhysicsComedyMedical Sim
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Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
2014 · Action
16,739 reviews · 96% positive
PlatformerPixel GraphicsRetroGreat SoundtrackIndie
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Five Nights at Freddy's 4
2015 · Action
16,658 reviews · 93% positive
HorrorSurvival HorrorSingleplayerFirst-PersonRobots
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Kingdom Rush - Tower Defense
2014 · Strategy
16,599 reviews · 97% positive
Tower DefenseStrategySingleplayer2DTactical
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Overcooked
2016 · Action
16,345 reviews · 90% positive
Local Co-OpMultiplayerLocal MultiplayerCo-opCasual
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Gold Mining Simulator
2017 · Indie
16,185 reviews · 73% positive
SimulationMiningSingleplayerRealisticOpen World
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Gloomhaven
2021 · Adventure
15,940 reviews · 82% positive
Online Co-OpDark FantasyTurn-Based CombatCard GameTurn-Based Strategy
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Session: Skate Sim
2022 · Indie
15,691 reviews · 83% positive
SkateboardingSportsSimulationSingleplayerIndie
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Barony
2015 · Action
15,028 reviews · 91% positive
Dungeon CrawlerAction RoguelikeOnline Co-OpFantasyRogue-like
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Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
2018 · Strategy
14,365 reviews · 91% positive
Warhammer 40KStrategyTurn-Based TacticsGames WorkshopTurn-Based Combat
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Subsistence
2016 · Action
13,700 reviews · 72% positive
Open World Survival CraftSurvivalMultiplayerCraftingOpen World
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Jump King
2019 · Action
13,211 reviews · 90% positive
Psychological HorrorDifficultPrecision PlatformerIndiePixel Graphics
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FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: HELP WANTED
2019 · Action
12,990 reviews · 96% positive
HorrorVRSingleplayerRobotsSurvival Horror
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Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location
2016 · Action
12,516 reviews · 90% positive
HorrorSurvival HorrorSingleplayerRobotsFirst-Person
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Monster Sanctuary
2020 · Action
12,472 reviews · 91% positive
Creature CollectorPixel GraphicsMetroidvaniaTurn-Based TacticsSingleplayer
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Caves of Qud
2024 · Adventure
12,355 reviews · 95% positive
Procedural GenerationTurn-Based CombatOpen WorldTurn-BasedTranshumanism
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Rabi-Ribi
2016 · Action
12,216 reviews · 95% positive
AnimeMetroidvaniaBullet HellFemale ProtagonistPixel Graphics
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STAR WARS™ - The Force Unleashed™ Ultimate Sith Edition
2009 · Action
12,066 reviews · 76% positive
ActionSingleplayerHack and SlashThird PersonSci-fi
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Pathologic 2
2019 · Adventure
12,029 reviews · 92% positive
Story RichAtmosphericChoices MatterRPGDifficult
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Five Nights at Freddy's 3
2015 · Action
11,165 reviews · 90% positive
HorrorSingleplayerSurvival HorrorRobotsFirst-Person
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Tiny Rogues
2022 · Action
10,587 reviews · 96% positive
Action RoguelikeBullet HellTop-Down ShooterReplay ValueDifficult
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Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense
2016 · Strategy
10,451 reviews · 97% positive
Tower DefenseStrategy2DSingleplayerDifficult
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Kindergarten
2017 · Adventure
10,276 reviews · 97% positive
FunnyGorePixel GraphicsSingleplayerViolent
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Granny
2018 · Adventure
10,238 reviews · 94% positive
HorrorSurvival HorrorMultiplayerFirst-PersonSingleplayer
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Windblown
2024 · Action
10,065 reviews · 89% positive
Early AccessAction RoguelikeHack and SlashActionIndie
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Monster Train 2
2025 · Indie
9,740 reviews · 95% positive
StrategyCard GameRogue-likeTurn-Based StrategyTurn-Based Tactics
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Slender: The Arrival
2013 · Action
9,278 reviews · 88% positive
HorrorSurvival HorrorFirst-PersonMultiplayerIndie
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SULFUR
2024 · Action
8,960 reviews · 87% positive
Early AccessAction RoguelikeFPSDungeon CrawlerRogue-lite
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Elin
2024 · Indie
8,900 reviews · 93% positive
Early AccessCharacter CustomizationOpen WorldRogue-likeJRPG
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Astral Ascent
2023 · Action
8,377 reviews · 95% positive
Action RoguelikeRogue-liteHack and SlashIndieAtmospheric
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We Who Are About To Die
2022 · Action
8,260 reviews · 88% positive
Early AccessIndieAction RoguelikeRogue-liteSimulation
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Cave Story+
2011 · Action
8,082 reviews · 93% positive
PlatformerMetroidvaniaIndieGreat SoundtrackPixel Graphics
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The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth
2015 · Action
8,073 reviews · 93% positive
Replay ValueDifficultIndieRogue-likeGreat Soundtrack
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The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos
2020 · Action
7,985 reviews · 87% positive
RPGTurn-Based TacticsAdventureTurn-BasedSingleplayer
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STAR WARS™: The Force Unleashed™ II
2010 · Action
7,897 reviews · 63% positive
ActionSingleplayerHack and SlashThird PersonSci-fi
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Kingdom Rush Origins - Tower Defense
2018 · Indie
7,818 reviews · 96% positive
Tower DefenseStrategy2DSingleplayerDifficult
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Tales of Maj'Eyal
2013 · Adventure
7,327 reviews · 95% positive
Traditional RoguelikeRogue-likeTurn-BasedDungeon CrawlerPerma Death
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GemCraft - Chasing Shadows
2015 · Action
4,367 reviews · 95% positive
Tower DefenseStrategyIndieSingleplayerAction
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Electrician Simulator
2022 · Adventure
4,224 reviews · 80% positive
SimulationEducationImmersive SimFirst-PersonIndie
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ZeroRanger
2018 · Action
2,168 reviews · 96% positive
Shoot 'Em UpIndieActionGreat SoundtrackBullet Hell
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Albion Online
2018 · Massively Multiplayer
1,896 reviews · 79% positive
Free to PlayMMORPGOpen WorldMassively MultiplayerSandbox
- T
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Infectonator 3: Apocalypse
2018 · Indie
1,325 reviews · 83% positive
Outbreak SimIndieZombiesStrategySimulation
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Dark Deception
2018 · Action
1,295 reviews · 89% positive
HorrorFree to PlayMultiplayerSingleplayerFirst-Person
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Paquerette Down the Bunburrows
2023 · Adventure
1,240 reviews · 96% positive
Pixel GraphicsLogicSingleplayerSokobanPuzzle
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La-Mulana 2
2018 · Action
1,056 reviews · 86% positive
Action-AdventureMetroidvaniaPuzzle-PlatformerSouls-likeDifficult
- S
SNØ: Ultimate Freeriding
2025 · Action
882 reviews · 97% positive
SingleplayerSkiingMinimalistSimulationProcedural Generation
- S
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MEMOLITH: Forsaken by Light
2026 · Indie
198 reviews · 78% positive
Early AccessTactical RPGStrategy RPGTurn-Based StrategyPixel Graphics
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Realm of the Mad God Exalt
2012 · Action
193 reviews · 83% positive
Pixel GraphicsMMORPGFree to PlayRogue-likePerma Death
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best difficult indie games?
- By Steam review count, indielist ranks 225 tracked difficult indie games led by Dota 2 (2,722,621 reviews).
- How is the difficult list built?
- This page uses SteamSpy user tags from tracked games, then ranks matching public games by Steam review count. It is not hand-picked.