Is This Game Too Hard for Me? How to Check Difficulty Before You Buy
Few things waste money like a game you quit on the third boss. The good news: you can usually find out how demanding a game is, and how much it lets you adjust, before you spend a cent. This guide shows where to look, what the settings actually mean, and how to match a game's challenge to the kind of player you are.
Quick answer
- Look for a difficulty selector and assist options on the store page, in reviews, or on accessibility review sites. Their presence is the biggest predictor of whether you'll finish.
- "Fixed difficulty" games (many Soulslikes, precision platformers, roguelikes) are designed to be hard. Buy them only if the challenge is the point for you.
- Watch 20 minutes of unedited gameplay of the part of the game people call hard, not the trailer.
- Check refund terms before buying if you're unsure. Policies vary by store, so read them first.
- For most players, a game with an adjustable easy mode is the safer buy. You can always turn it up.
Difficulty is one of the most personal parts of a game, and one of the least clearly labeled. Two people can play the same game and one finds it relaxing while the other finds it impossible. Instead of guessing, use the checks below. They take about fifteen minutes and tell you far more than a review score.
First, know what kind of challenge you enjoy
"Too hard" means different things. Pin down which kind of difficulty bothers you, and you'll know exactly what to check:
| Kind of difficulty | What it feels like | Typical in |
|---|---|---|
| Reflex / execution | Precise timing, fast reactions, tight dodges | Action games, Soulslikes, platformers, fighting games |
| Punishment | Losing progress, items or a long walk back after failing | Soulslikes, survival games, roguelikes |
| Puzzle / logic | Getting stuck with no idea what to do next | Puzzle games, adventure games, some metroidvanias |
| Complexity | Many systems, menus and numbers to manage | Strategy games, deep RPGs, simulations |
| Time pressure | Timers, stressful juggling, no pause | Some co-op games, real-time strategy, competitive online games |
| Competitive skill gap | Losing to experienced human players | Online shooters, fighting games, sports games |
Someone who loves chess-like strategy may hate reflex challenges, and vice versa. A game can be "easy" in one column and brutal in another.
Where to find the truth before buying
- The store page and official site. Look for mentions of difficulty modes, "story mode", "assist mode" or accessibility features. Some console and PC stores now list accessibility features on product pages. If they're listed, that's a good sign.
- Accessibility-focused reviews. Sites and creators dedicated to game accessibility review exactly what you can adjust: difficulty, aim assist, subtitles, timing windows, remapping. They're often more detailed than standard reviews.
- The settings menu, via video. Search for "[game name] settings menu" or "[game name] accessibility options". Seeing the actual options screen is the fastest way to know what you can change.
- Uncut gameplay of the hard part. Skip trailers. Search for the boss, level or section players mention most, and watch someone play it without cuts.
- Player reviews that mention difficulty. Filter or search reviews for words like "difficulty", "easy mode" or "frustrating". Our guide to reading Steam and console reviews helps separate useful complaints from noise.
- Completion statistics. On some platforms, achievement or trophy unlock rates show what share of players reached a certain point. A low share reaching the ending can hint at difficulty, or just that people lost interest, so treat it as a clue, not proof.
What the settings actually do
Not all "easy modes" are equal. Here's what to look for, roughly in order of how much they help:
- Selectable difficulty that can be changed anytime. The most flexible. You can lower it for one tough fight, then raise it again.
- Assist or story modes. These often go further than "easy", with options like invincibility, slowing the game down, or skipping a section. Some games are well known for these and they've made otherwise brutal games accessible to many players.
- Granular options. Separate sliders for enemy damage, timing windows, aim assist or puzzle hints let you lower only the part that bothers you.
- Checkpoints and saving. Frequent autosaves and the ability to save anywhere drastically reduce punishment difficulty.
- Hint systems. For puzzle and adventure games, a built-in hint system means you'll rarely be stuck for long.
- Control remapping and hold-to-toggle options. These help with execution difficulty and physical comfort. See accessibility gaming hardware if you need more.
Watch out for: difficulty locked at the start of a new game, "easy" modes that only reduce enemy health but keep the same timing demands, and games where the only way to make things easier is grinding for hours.
Games that are hard by design
Some genres are built around challenge, and that's why their fans love them. If you're considering one, go in with eyes open:
Soulslikes
Games in the style of Dark Souls and Elden Ring usually have no traditional difficulty selector. Instead, they're made more manageable through character builds, summoning help, exploring elsewhere and levelling up. Many players who thought they'd hate them end up loving them. Many don't. See Elden Ring vs Dark Souls 3 for how two of them compare.
Roguelikes and roguelites
You're expected to fail repeatedly. Each run, you lose progress, but you often keep some upgrades. If repeated failure frustrates you, look for games with optional assist modes or permanent upgrades. Ask in reviews or community threads how much permanent progress carries between runs.
Precision platformers
Expect lots of deaths with instant restarts. They feel very different from other hard games because each attempt is seconds long. Many include assist options.
Competitive online games
The challenge here is other people. Even with good matchmaking, newcomers in long-running games face experienced players. Check whether a game has offline modes, bot matches or unranked play.
The decision table
| What you find | Your comfort with challenge | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable difficulty + assist options | Any | Safe buy. Start low and adjust. |
| Adjustable difficulty, but the hard part is a type you hate (e.g., puzzles) | Low | Check whether hints or skips exist for that part. |
| Fixed difficulty, but builds/helpers make it manageable | Medium | Try it if you're curious, ideally on sale or with a trial. |
| Fixed difficulty, challenge is the selling point | Low | Skip, or watch a playthrough instead. Plenty of great games suit you better. |
| Fixed difficulty, challenge is the selling point | High | Go for it. That's the experience. |
Safety nets: trials, demos and refunds
- Demos: many games release free demos, sometimes during digital festivals. Playing the first hour tells you a lot about the controls and pace, though not always about late-game difficulty.
- Subscription libraries: if a game is in a subscription you already have, you can try it without buying. See subscription vs. buying.
- Refunds: some stores allow refunds within limits on time owned and time played. Rules vary and change, so check the current terms before relying on them. Our refund policy guide covers what to look for.
- Waiting for a sale: if you're unsure about difficulty, buying at a discount reduces the sting if it doesn't click. See buy at launch or wait.
Can hardware make a game easier?
Sometimes, a little. A comfortable controller with good sticks makes precise movement easier, and a decent headset can help with games where sound cues matter. Hardware won't turn a brutally hard game easy, but bad hardware can make a fair game feel unfair. Drifting controller sticks are a classic example. See controller drift: replace or repair?
FAQ
How can I tell how hard a game is before buying it?
Check the store page for difficulty and assist options, look up accessibility reviews, watch uncut gameplay of the hardest section players mention, and read player reviews that discuss difficulty.
What is an assist mode?
An assist mode is a set of options that make a game easier in specific ways, such as slowing it down, reducing damage, widening timing windows or allowing you to skip sections. They vary from game to game.
Do Soulslike games have an easy mode?
Usually not a traditional one. They're made more manageable through character builds, summoned help, levelling up and exploring other areas, but the core challenge is part of the design.
Can I refund a game if it's too hard?
Some stores allow refunds within limits on how long you've owned and played a game. Policies vary and change, so check the store's current terms before relying on a refund.
The bottom line
Difficulty is the most common hidden reason people stop playing a game they paid for. Fifteen minutes of research, looking at the settings menu, the hardest part and what kind of challenge it really is, will tell you whether you're likely to finish. When in doubt, choose a game you can adjust. There's no prize for suffering through something you don't enjoy.