Cuphead
Brutally difficult and stylistically enchanting, Cuphead was a surprise hit when it launched in 2017 on Xbox One and Windows. What looks like a kid’s game is actually one of the most difficult games on this list. A run-and-gun indie, Cuphead is a marvelous return to the days of 2D platformers, and its 1930s cartoon-inspired art style is visually striking. As hard as it is, Cuphead is mechanically simple, requiring players to do the basics: run, jump, shoot, and parry. It’s a game you can quickly pick up and set down just as easily as you can lose track of time spending hours attempting to defeat a boss.
