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Before we dig into the nitty gritty, let’s go over what exactly classifies a game as “hardcore”. In this list, we’ll nail down a couple of games that might seem casual at face value but have a lot of depth once you dig into them. From shoot-em-ups that are infamously hard and test each and every bit of your reflexes to JRPGs with tons of content that will require lots of grinding and commitment, this list will touch on many different genres, each hardcore in its own ways.
For the hardcore gamer, these entries will all be up your alley, whether you’re looking for a game to commit hundreds of hours to or just looking to have your skills and wits tested at every turn. Apple Arcade has many games on its storefront that fit this category, but many of them require you to dig past the more casual and accessible titles. Luckily, we’re here to let you in on a few that might have slipped under your radar and will provide a worthy challenge to test your skills. These titles are no joke, so be sure you’re ready to take on some real hurdles and face difficult levels that make you pull your hair out before you give these a shot!
To check out the list, hit the big blue button below.
First up, let’s talk about what is, in my humble opinion, the best JRPG on mobile full stop. Fantasian is the perfect hardcore game for anyone who’s looking for an RPG full of depth, lore, and potentially hundreds of hours of gameplay. It’s developed by Mistwalker, a studio that’s headed by Hironobu Sakaguchi. You know, the creator of the entire *Final Fantasy* series as a whole?!
Fantasian is maybe not hardcore in the traditional sense, but it is one of the deepest and most engrossing experiences you can play on your phone. There are optional bosses that require you to fine-tune your party to make sure you can beat them, a huge open world that begs you to spend weeks or even months exploring all of its content, and there’s engaging and deep turn-based combat full of cool mechanics. If you’re an RPG fan, this is the most hardcore experience in the genre you’ll find on mobile, let alone Apple Arcade.
If you have any experience with shoot-em-ups, DoDonPachi will strike fear into your heart immediately. This top-down 2D shooter is the oldest game on this list, though technically this version is a re-release, and it shows in every bit of the challenge DoDonPachi offers.
Shoot-em-ups originated from old arcade cabinets, which meant they were designed to take all of your pocket money. To make that happen, they had to be hyper-difficult and DoDonPachi shows it. There is not a slow moment in this one, as you constantly bob and weave between billions of projectiles swarming you at every second. DoDonPachi Resurrection HD is exclusively for the most skilled and agile gamer and will test your skills to their very limit.
Grindstone is a deceptive choice for this list. While it seems like a relatively straightforward match-3 puzzler, there’s so much more to it that makes it worthy of being called hardcore. While the first few levels may ease you into it, eventually Grindstone will absolutely take you by the ear and force you to be incredibly observant if you want to defeat the proper amount of creatures you must to pass each level.
On top of this, there’s a ton of depth with a gear system and unique mechanics during the puzzles that require you to plan super far ahead. Every move counts in Grindstone, and progression doesn’t come easy, so this one is only for the avid puzzle fans out there.
Find out more about Bloons TD 6 at PocketGamer.com
Bloons Tower Defense is an all-time classic series. It’s been around for years, and its formula rarely changes. If you know tower defense, you know Bloons. With that description, you might wonder what makes Bloons that much more hardcore than other typical tower defense games?
Well, we’ve gotta look at the latest game Bloons TD 6+ for that answer. Over time, you’ll unlock progressively harder levels and difficulty settings, until, towards the true end game, you’re battling against over a thousand units at a time. We’re talking about your entire screen being filled with balloon enemies while you desperately plop down monkeys in the hopes they’ll thin the horde. I seriously can’t stress enough how difficult the end game of Bloons TD 6+ gets, so if you’re looking for a truly nigh-impossible challenge, try out some of these later levels and see if you can make it through.
Find out more about Bleak Sword at PocketGamer.com
Bleak Sword is the sleeper hit of this list. While the other games listed are pretty popular, it seems very few have heard about Bleak Sword, which is shocking because it takes a lot of elements from the Souls-like genre that is so popular nowadays. And with that Souls-like inspiration, it’s easy to see where this one gets pretty darn hard to master, let alone beat.
You’ll do stamina-based battles in small diorama arenas, and it is all methodical and super tough to get the true hold of. Manage your stamina, dodge numerous enemy strikes at a time, and be sure to block the three or four heavy attacks coming in behind you, all at the same time too!
