Tough times make tough people, and no game embodies this better than those where death is a lesson learned from your mistakes.
While these games keep throwing you to the last checkpoint, they give you the chance to get better or die trying.
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Then there are also notable games that make death acore gameplay mechanicor anarrative device, making this punishing loop of death inevitable with serious consequences.
That’s why we decided to provide you with a list that provides the best of both worlds, where death is an inseparable gameplay element.
10Life Goes On: Done To Death
Life Doesn’t Go That Long
Life Goes On: Done to Death
Kicking off this list is a hilariously absurdpuzzle platformerthat will steal your heart with its unconventional and wacky gameplay design.
ThroughoutLife Goes On, you must constantly keep dying as a knight to solve numerous platforming puzzles using the pile of dead bodies you leave behind.
Surprisingly, these knights are the only tools throughout your quest to solve puzzles to find the Cup of Life for the mighty knight in command, who wants to live forever.
To make it more interesting,Life Goes Onhas a map-integrated storyline and even rewards you for completing each level with a minimum of dead knights.
Sneakin' Out
Hadesis a fast-paced roguelitedungeon crawlerthat pits you against hellish minions and bosses as you try to escape from the Greek underworld. You play as Zagreus, the immortal son of Hades, as you ascend towards Mount Olympus.
Since exiting hell won’t be a cakewalk, you will receive several buffs or boons from Olympian gods like Zeus, Poseidon, and more that enhance your abilities.
When you die, you lose all gained coins and must start from the beginning. But thankfully, you don’t lose Darkness and Keys that are used to upgrade your baseline abilities.
The vibrant atmosphere, hack-and-slash combat system, and character-driven narrative ofHadeswill convince you to replay it endlessly as you uncover the branching stories of the dysfunctionalfamily and other gods.
8Outer Wilds
Exploring Cosmos And Beyond
Outer Wilds
Outer Wildstakes you in a gorgeously immersive sci-fi adventure as you explore a planetary system trapped in anendless time loopthat resets every 22 minutes with the sun turning supernova and destroying the entire system.
Taking control of the newest recruit of Outer Wilds Ventures, you embark on a journey to unveilall the mysteriesof this solar system while facing the continual death loop and returning to the nearest checkpoint.
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Published byAnnapurna Interactive, this title admirably utilizes death as a crucial mechanic to progress, even though it can initially be frustrating.
Knowledge is the key, and considering the inevitability of death in this game, the more you die, the more you learn about the time loop.
More Kung-fu, Less Time
Sifuis a revenge-driven beat ‘em-up that incorporates death as a pivotal gameplay mechanic and element, resulting in your player character aging each time you die according to thedeath counter.
You will start your quest for vengeance at the age of 20 and when you die for the first time, you will turn 21. This counter adds the number of deaths in a single run, potentially aging you up to 75.
As someone who had the protagonist aged 68 by the time I reached the fourth boss,Sifucan be incredibly brutal if you’re not focused onmastering the art of kung-fu, which involves a range of attack combos, parrying, and dodging.
That said,Sifuboasts exceptionally fluid combat mechanics with versatile attacks, skills, and perks to keep you fully invested.
6Middle-Earth: Shadow Of War
No Bygones Forgiven!
Middle-Earth: Shadow of War
Expanding WB’spatented nemesis system,Middle-earth: Shadow of Waris a punishing action-adventure title that will throw you into a rabbit hole of deaths if you don’t adapt to its brutal world.
As you progress through the game and go on amassing an army of Orcs, you will unlock several skills, weapons, and gear that enable you to clear hordes of enemies, making you feel overpowered.
However, even your enemies are stuck in a death loop inShadow of War. Upon killing some high-ranking Orcs, these enemies can potentially rise from the dead and seek vengeance with their partial machine bodies or more powerful gear.
After your slayed enemies return, they bring up the last time you fought them, offering an appreciably expansive level of detail. And if they kill you, they will also shove that in your face the next time you meet your nemesis.
5Super Meat Boy
Dance Of Death
Super Meat Boy
Super Meat Boyis a hardcore platformerindie gamedesigned to make you tilt with its utterly simplistic gameplay mechanics. Despite having only two buttons for sprinting and jumping, there’s a reason why we placed it so high on the list.
Take it from someone who gained four figures on his death counter overnight; this hyper-violent game’s world and level design won’t let you off the hook for a moment.
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Without providing tutorials, this indie title visually shows you what to do and ensures you have processed this knowledge through its tense levels.
This results in a nail-biting yet satisfying experience, thanks toSuper Meat Boy’s fast-paced gameplay and environment.
Dune Without Royal Treatment
Kenshikicks you into a nightmarish wild desert brimming with threats that can kill you in one or two shots. I’m talking about the wild beasts rather than the bandits or assassins that lurk around the desert.
As a beginner, almost everything within your reach can wipe you out. Starting at zero with the entire world against you,Kenshiis anaction RPGthat boasts non-linear gameplay with no set goals or objectives.
You can build an army of creatures and units from varying factions, go rogue with a solo progression, or develop any play style according to your preferences.
Nevertheless, this sense of freedom isn’t soothing but crushingly challenging due to its harsh environment, which forces you to upgrade and get stronger using any means necessary.
Everything Kills You
Being a magical rogue-lite dungeon crawler,Noitathrives on your countless deaths until you fully understand its brutal world, forcing you to learn, experiment, and clear out its baffling puzzles without handholding.
Featuring a world where each pixel is physically stimulated,Noitaoffers a punishing yet satisfyingly rewarding experience. Every pixel will try to kill you, either through your intrusive thoughts or any oncoming threats.
During your progression as a witch, you must descend into a cave stacked under eightdiverse biomesinfested with enemies and plentiful hidden secrets.
The deeper you go, the more challenging enemies you will face. However, once you hit the learning curve, you won’t stop exploring until you get toNoita’s core and discover all its secrets.
2Elden Ring
Ye Shall Indefinetly Perish!
Ever since the release of FromSoftware’s award-winning title,Elden Ringhas claimed a staggering number of deaths due to its terrifying open world and catalog ofaggressive bosses.
Considering difficulty has been a staple ofall the Soulsborne titles, Elden Ring can be seen as unfair and frustrating for beginners who have never dived into the Souls genre, pushing many players to rage-quit.
Nevertheless, if you go through its trials after countless deaths, there is a chance that you might get to explore the beauty of the Lands Between and its extensive lore.
In addition to many ways tolower its difficulty, you canlevel upand obtainearly overpowered weaponsto defeat bosses or powerful enemies.
Trust me, after taking limitless beatings from punishing boss battles, nothing feels more rewarding than taking them down.
1Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Is Not Dying A Choice?
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
As a top contender on the list,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis aFromSoftwaretitle that I consider invariably more cruel thanElden Ringbecause of its world design and lack of leveling mechanics.
Unlike using magic, ashes, or summons, all you have is your katana and prosthetic arm to fight against its horrifying bosses or enemies. While you canmake improvements, there is no direct leveling system to overpower bosses.
But as you invest more time in carving your skills,Sekirooffers an unparalleled rewarding experience when you deliver a death blow to the bosses.
Above all, it’s a test of perseverance thatdemands you to git gud, which is enough to make an adult like me yell obscenities and frustratingly tear up at times.
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