Salt and Sanctuary is a brutal 2D Souls-like with deep RPG elements, letting you craft builds from a sprawling skill tree and varied weapons. Tough enemies, punishing bosses, and flexible playstyles make it a demanding yet rewarding adventure.
(Image Credit: Ska Studios)
Super Meat Boy Forever is a relentless auto-runner where you tap and hold to leap, slide, and punch through deadly levels and brutal bosses. Frustratingly hard but incredibly satisfying, it rewards every ounce of effort with that sweet victory rush.
(Image Credit: Team Meat)
Rush Rally 3 is the Elden Ring of racing games, offering deep customization, challenging physics, and a huge variety of tracks, weather, and time-of-day settings. It runs at a smooth 60FPS and delivers a demanding yet rewarding rally experience on mobile.
(Image Credit: Brownmonster Limited)
Way of Retribution is a free 3D Souls-like with an MMORPG twist, featuring PvE combat alongside always-on PvP. It’s tough, unforgiving, and made even more intense by the constant threat of other players.
(Image Credit: Way Of Retribution)
Crypt of the NecroDancer is a roguelike rhythm game where you explore shifting dungeons and fight enemies by moving to the beat. A killer soundtrack and relentless tempo make every step a high-stakes challenge.
(Image Credit: Brace Yourself Games)
Grimvalor delivers fast, skill-based combat and boss fights that demand sharp reflexes and precise timing. The difficulty ramps up fast, and New Game+ pushes the challenge even further for those who dare.
(Image Credit: Direlight)
Dead Cells combines Metroidvania exploration with roguelike challenge, offering over 70 unique enemies and 20 distinct biomes to master. Its flexible difficulty lets you push for a brutal run or take a steadier approach through its ever-changing levels.
(Image Credit: Playdigious)
Knotwords is a clever word puzzle where you place given letters into a crossword-style grid without clues, turning it into a word-based twist on Sudoku. Daily puzzles, monthly challenges, and tricky layouts make it a surprisingly tough test for puzzle lovers.
(Image Credit: Jack Schlesinger)
Cytus II is a stylish rhythm game packed with challenging note patterns and a massive library of exclusive tracks that keep you hooked. Striking visuals, unique gameplay, and a surprisingly deep, story-driven world make it one of the most memorable music games on mobile.
(Image Credit: Rayark)
Pascal’s Wager is a dark, Souls-like action RPG set in a gothic world full of brutal enemies and punishing death penalties. Multiple playable characters, eerie visuals, and intense combat make it a standout challenge on mobile.
(Image Credit: TipsWorks)
PewPew Live 2 is a fast, arcade-style twin-stick shooter where you blast through asteroid-filled maps and chase high scores. With official modes, community levels, and online or LAN co-op, it’s a hardcore fix for shooter fans.
(Image Credit: Jean-François Geyelin)
METBOY! is a retro-style action game where you tap to jump, spin, and launch a boomerang blade at swarms of enemies. Five worlds of tough stages and bosses make it brutal, but steady upgrades give you a fighting chance.
(Image Credit: REBUILD GAMES)
Geometry Dash is a rhythm-based platformer where you tap to leap over hazards while your character keeps moving forward. Fast-paced stages, tricky mechanics, and endless custom levels make it a relentless test of timing and focus.
(Image Credit: RobTop Games)
VVVVVV is a tough 2D platformer where you can’t jump — instead, you flip gravity to dodge hazards and navigate tricky levels. Tight controls and clever design make it a brutal but rewarding challenge for hardcore platforming fans.
(Image Credit: Distractionware)
Bullet Hell Monday Finale throws you into nonstop, screen-filling chaos with missions that push your reflexes to the limit. Multiple difficulty levels, unlockable ships, and unique weapons keep the challenge fresh for hardcore shoot ’em up fans.
(Image Credit: Masayuki Ito)
Hardcore games are the type of titles that can test your patience, skill, and determination until that final, hard-earned win. Needless to say, the gameplay can make or break you as a gamer. But hey, sometimes we need to scratch that itch and prove we're capable of beating extremely difficult games.
So, from punishing platformers to unforgiving roguelikes, these 15 mobile titles will push you to your limits while keeping you hooked for just one more try.
