Prepare for an epic journey through the most punishing sci-fi video games that will test your skills, reflexes, and sanity! From roguelikes to survival horror, these games push players to their absolute limits in unforgiving alien worlds and apocalyptic landscapes.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the hardest sci-fi video
00:10games.
00:11And something much, much worse.
00:17Number 10.
00:18Risk of Rain 2 Dropped into an ever-escalating battlefield,
00:25Risk of Rain 2 throws players into a relentless fight for survival.
00:29This roguelike ups the ante as time progresses, spawning increasingly tougher enemies the
00:34longer you stay alive.
00:35Item drops are randomized, forcing you to adapt on the fly and rethink strategies mid-run.
00:41Co-op adds a layer of chaotic fun, but don't let teamwork fool you.
00:45Everyone's just as vulnerable.
00:47Mastering the game requires not only skill, but also the ability to endure constant setbacks.
00:52And with towering bosses capable of obliterating your team in seconds, every victory feels
00:57like a stroke of luck.
01:04Number 9.
01:05Faster Than Light Commanding a spaceship sounds like an intergalactic
01:13dream, but Faster Than Light quickly turns it into a nightmare.
01:16Resource management, split-second decisions, and random encounters combine to make this
01:21game a brutal test of wits.
01:23From enemy attacks to oxygen shortages, the galaxy throws everything it can at your fragile
01:29crew.
01:30Every jump to a new sector feels like spinning a roulette wheel, with danger lurking behind
01:34every corner.
01:35And if you're lucky enough to reach the final boss, prepare for one of the most unforgiving
01:40challenges in gaming.
01:41Success depends on strategy, a little luck, and a whole lot of praying.
01:46Just don't get too attached to your crew.
01:48They might not live long enough for goodbyes.
01:55Number 8.
01:56XCOM 2 Taking on alien overlords should feel heroic,
02:06but XCOM 2 turns it into a punishing exercise in strategy and heartbreak.
02:11Every mission tests your tactical prowess as you command a ragtag group of soldiers
02:15in their fight for survival.
02:16The game's infamous RNG often leads to some infuriating moments, like missing a 95% chance
02:23to hit at a crucial moment.
02:25Permadeath ensures that one bad decision can leave your squad in shambles, and the relentless
02:30pressure to stay ahead of the alien threat keeps you constantly on edge.
02:34It's a game where even the smallest mistakes can snowball into catastrophic failure.
02:43Number 7.
02:45Metro Exodus Post-apocalyptic Russia isn't exactly a vacation
02:55destination and Metro Exodus makes sure you feel the weight of every decision.
03:00Scarce resources, deadly mutants, and unforgiving environments ensure that every step outside
03:05the safety of your train is a risk.
03:08This isn't a game for trigger-happy players.
03:10Every bullet, medkit, and filter is a precious lifeline.
03:14The atmospheric storytelling and immersive world-building draw you in, but the tension
03:18never lets up.
03:20Every encounter feels like a fight for survival, and even the quiet moments are laced with
03:24dread.
03:25At its heart, this is a game about hope and the face of despair.
03:32Number 6.
03:33Metroid Dread Samus' last adventure is anything but relaxing.
03:41Metroid Dread drops you into a labyrinth of interconnected environments filled with relentless
03:46enemies and traps.
03:47The invincible E.M.M.I. robots stalk you through the map, turning exploration into a nerve-wracking
03:52game of cat and mouse.
03:54Boss fights demand precision, timing, and mastery of every ability you've unlocked.
03:59While the game's puzzles and platforming keep your brain just as engaged as your reflexes,
04:04it's a challenge that rewards patience and perseverance, making every hard-fought victory
04:08feel satisfying.
04:17Number 5.
04:18Helldivers 2 In Helldivers 2, the galaxy's most dangerous
04:25missions pit you against relentless alien hordes and monstrous foes, demanding every
04:30ounce of skill and coordination.
04:33The enemies are brutal with countless waves, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
04:37Control hinges on precise teamwork, but even your squadmates can become a threat.
04:42With friendly fire always active, a stray bullet or poorly placed grenade can swiftly
04:46turn the tide against you, adding an extra layer of tension to every battle.
04:51Resource scarcity amplifies the pressure, making even minor mistakes catastrophic.
04:56This is not just a test of combat prowess, but a crucible for trust and strategy.
05:07Number 4.
05:08The Surge 2 This futuristic souls-like isn't here to
05:16hold your hand.
05:17The Surge 2 drops you into a gritty mechanical dystopia where survival feels like a constant
05:22uphill battle.
05:23Every fight is a brutal test of skill, made more intense by the unique limb-targeting
05:28system that forces you to strategize with every swing.
05:31Do you risk going for a weak spot, or gamble for better loot by attacking heavily armored
05:36limbs?
05:37It's all yours, but mistakes are costly.
05:39Boss fights push your limits with unpredictable mechanics and unforgiving damage, while the
05:43sprawling interconnected world offers no sanctuary.
05:47Each step feels like an invitation to danger, hammering home why robots should never have
05:51free will.
05:52Or swords.
05:57Number 3.
05:59Alien Isolation It's you versus one of the most iconic and
06:05terrifying monsters in cinematic history.
06:08Alien Isolation thrives on fear, keeping you in a perpetual state of unease as you navigate
06:13a claustrophobic space station hunted by the relentless Xenomorph.
06:17What sets this nightmare apart is the creature's intelligence.
06:21It learns and adapts to your strategies, forcing you to constantly improvise.
06:25Hiding feels like your only option, with every creak or beep of your motion tracker sending
06:30shivers down your spine.
06:32Even when the alien is invisible, its looming presence fills you with dread.
06:36Other enemies like rogue androids and desperate humans only add to the tension.
06:40The game's message is clear.
06:42Survival means being quiet, clever, and very, very lucky.
06:53Number 2.
06:54Doom Eternal Who needs sleep when you've got endless hordes
07:03of demons to slaughter?
07:05Doom Eternal doesn't just raise the bar for intensity, it obliterates it.
07:09The game's lightning-fast combat and relentless waves of enemies demand pinpoint accuracy,
07:14razor-sharp reflexes, and nerves of steel.
07:17Every encounter feels like a high-stakes balancing act as you juggle health pickups, ammo management,
07:22and chainsaw fuel, all while staying mobile to avoid becoming demon chow.
07:27Higher difficulties transform the game into a brutal endurance test, where every second
07:32feels like a chaotic dance of death.
07:34The adrenaline never lets up, and neither does Doomguy, proving that nothing stands
07:38between you and victory.
08:02Number 1.
08:03Returnal Crash-landing on an alien planet is only the
08:11beginning of your struggle in Returnal.
08:13This punishing roguelike doesn't just challenge your reflexes, it demands absolute precision
08:18and adaptability.
08:20Every encounter is a fight for survival as waves of enemies swarm you with complex attack
08:24patterns, while the game's eerie atmosphere and ever-shifting levels keep you on edge.
08:29Death isn't just a setback, it's a reset.
08:32Forcing you to start over and adapt to an even crueler version of the alien world.
08:36Yet, each run uncovers more about the planet's secrets and your character's fractured psyche,
08:41blending psychological storytelling with relentless gameplay.
08:45Mastering Returnal requires patience, persistence, and a will as unyielding as the alien horrors
08:50you face.
08:55Which one of these sci-fi games did you find to be the most difficult?
08:59Let us know in the comments!