Summary
Sony’s entry into the console space in 1995 was just one of the many industryshake-ups that the ’90s saw, and the Japanese tech giant would go on to become one of the most dominant forces in the industry. One reason for that was their strong emphasis on software, which was evident in the massive PS1 library.
Some of these games were just great, and certain titles challenged players and put their skills to the test. Some of them challenged the player’s dexterity, with a hefty library of shoot ‘em ups and FPS games, while others tested strategy skills. These Sony-published PlayStation 1 games were some of the hardest and most difficult games on the platform, cultivating a legacy for the fifth generation of consoles that is still thriving to this day.
Inspired by the likes ofGhosts ‘N Goblinsand Tim Burton’sNightmare Before Christmas,MediEvilsaw players take control of Sir Daniel Fortesque, a knight of the King of Gallowmere who was struck down in battle. After being mistakenly brought back to life by a nasty sorcerer named Zarok, Dan is tasked with defeating the wizard and his seemingly unlimited army.
MediEvilis set across 21 levels, where the forces of Zarok grow exponentially in number and challenge the player to become evenmore adept with Sir Dan. Offering a selection of ever-evolving weapons, escalating challenges, and a sense of dark fantasy adventure,MediEvilis one of the PS1’s best and most difficult games.
The PS1 was home to some absolutely stellar fighting games, fromTekken 3toStreet Fighter Alpha 3, but none of them were as unique or difficult asBushido Blade. There’s no other fighting game on the market quite like it, both back in the day and evenin a contemporary setting.
Making use of a fabulous body targeting system,Bushido Bladeaims for realistic damage and injuries. This is a game where a single strike can win a fight, and patience and skill are rewarded. It’s one of the PS1’s most tense experiences, where each fight feels like survival as opposed to a brawl.
The vehicular combat genrewas quite popular back in the ’90s, thanks to standouts likeTwisted MetalandVigilante 8. But there’s no better example of a tough-as-nails, truly difficult car combat game thanTwisted Metal 2. Released just one year after the first game,Twisted Metal 2involves a chaotic thrill ride through Los Angeles as the player struggles to survive against a swathe of amazingly designed vehicles.
With one of the most outrageously challenging maps and aggressive enemy AI,Twisted Metal 2does its best to not take it easy on the player. These wide-open maps are full of destruction and mayhem, putting the player right in the middle of it as the enemy cars hound them down. It’s a harrowing and fantastic experience altogether.
Among the numerous spin-offs thatFinal Fantasyhas produced over the years, from the incredibly unique10-2to the equally belovedManaseries, one of its best and most complex isFinal Fantasy Tactics. This turn-based tactical strategy game, set in the world of Ivalice, pits the playeragainst seemingly insurmountable odds.
With some stiff difficulty spikes and a sense of paranoia surrounding every battle, the player is encouraged to save often. As far as turn-based strategy games go, it’s one that is constantly considered one of the best, but it’s also one of the PS1’s most difficult and rewarding games out there.
Although the future of this platforming icon is in doubt, evenafter a successful remasterand new mainline entry, the originalCrash Bandicootis one of the most challenging games on the PS1. Among its platformer contemporaries,Crash Bandicootis ruthless in its pursuit of grinding the player down.
The cute and wacky exterior hides a game that seeks to decimate any sense of confidence. Brutal levels continue to escalate, from escaping the narrow forests of N. Sanity Island all the way to the absolutely infuriating High Road. As if the original wasn’t already challenging enough, theCrash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogyoffers even more difficulty for fans willing to dive back in, and it features a much-needed visual overhaul, too. Gamers who appreciate the charm of the original, however, are in for a hard time, asCrash Bandicootis one of the PS1’s hallmark titles, and it’s also one of its most challenging.
Among the countless titles that Sony produced for the PlayStation, one that seems to have beenforgotten about isEinhander. This brilliantly designed shoot ‘em up is one of the absolute classics of the genre, with a unique setting and a spectacular soundtrack. And with this shmup comes one of the trademarks of the genre, as it is truly the most difficult and punishing game on the PS1.
This 2.5D side-scrolling shooter features fast-paced and highly energetic stages, focusing more on the eponymous Einhander pilots in combat with large-scale ships. This is in contrast to other shmups, which tend to focus on hordes of smaller enemies in large numbers. This scale directly affects the energy ofEinhander, as the battles feel more intense than most shmups.
