The Steam Summer Sale has slashed prices on roughly a billion games, and there's no point in recommending traditional discounts, as everyone is simply using their wishlist to streamline the deals. So let's take a different approach by highlighting games on sale that will absolutely blow your mind. If you like humiliation, these finds should give you your money's worth.
We've selected a wide range of discounted games that deliver punishment without sacrificing enjoyment, from fast-paced action shooters to gritty slashers. Honestly, difficulty is a big part of the fun, making every victory feel as gratifying as possible while every loss acts as a springboard for future satisfaction. Steam's summer sale may not be amazing, but it has some awesome highlights.
The The Steam Summer Sale runs until July 9so there's no need to rush to get them all right now.
1
Post Void – The most unforgiving $2.09 Speed-Run on Steam
A real find in this market
- Selling price: $2.09
- Regular price: $2.99
- Genre: FPS, Roguelike
- Steam Link: Post invalid
There is no one-size-fits-all “difficulty” that every game can and should adopt. Fire Ring and Devil May Cry 5 shouldn't present the same style of challenge, and the same goes for releases within a genre. While sharing similarities with standard setters such as DOWNFALL, Post Invalid approaching its difficulties in a distinctive way.
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The concept is simple: Your life force is drained every second, and killing enemies is the only way to replenish it. To stop or hesitate means death i Post invalidand players must constantly move forward and make split-second decisions to ensure they maintain an ungodly speed. Mistakes happen quickly and they send you back to the start, wiping out your entire run.
Want to know what really does Post invalid uniquely humiliating? A full run lasts no more than 10 minutes, but that length feels like a lifetime when a “perfect” attempt can be eradicated by a boss specifically designed to remove any illusion that you might have mastered the game. Who said taking 10 minutes isn't impressive?
2
Armored Core 6 – FromSoftware Mecha Experience
Oh, you hit the Fire Ring in your sleep, did you? Well, prepare to be humbled
- Selling price: $29.99
- Regular price: $59.99
- Genre: Action, Mechs
- Steam Link: Armored Core 6
In 2026, no developer is more synonymous with “hard games” than FromSoftware, although many titles are more challenging than Dark souls or Sekiro. Although we stick with FromSoft's project, Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon is the developer's most difficult release of the last decade, and don't be fooled by the fact that you're piloting massive sci-fi mechs. This is not one Gundam power fantasy (and that franchise's games aren't very easy either).
In this universe, underdogs can't just grind or summon a co-op to overcome a grueling enemy, and relying on brute force or stats alone won't get you very far. Armored Core 6 designs its campaign around wall bosses that require players to experiment with their chargeoutspenalizing those who stick to a single build because they think they've come up with the perfect configuration. That super cool mechanic that just ruined the last three bosses? Well, scrap that craving and start over, because they've suddenly become obsolete.
Also, the fast-paced combat is punishing in isolation, and its ceiling is (somehow) much higher than FromSoftware's Souls games. Honestly, I wouldn't really recommend the game at full price to total beginners because it's such an acquired taste; however with a 50% discount, Armored Core 6 is easier to sell.
3
UFO 50 – Retro punishment in many flavors
Going Nintendo Hard
- Selling price: $17.49
- Regular price: $24.99
- Genre: Arcade, Strategy, RPG, Adventure and more
- Steam Link: UFO 50
Most modern throwbacks replicate the aesthetic and gameplay loop of the 80s classic, but they tend to avoid replicating the infamous “Nintendo Hard” difficulty. UFO 50 decides to pull no punches and puts together a collection of original games that capture the retro feel in more ways than just the visuals.
Purely on “value”, UFO 50 might be the best deal in the Steam Summer Sale, as it comes with generally high-quality titles across an absurd range of genres. The compilation includes turn-based RPGs, platformers, arcade sports games, strategy and so much more. As different as these games themselves are, they are bound by incurably old fashioned design philosophyincluding a lack of checkpoints in many titles.
Without modern safety nets, UFO 50 exposes you to the world and challenges you to compete while relying on raw ability and gameplay. Just switching between games that have different control schemes and rules can be very difficult.
4
Darkest Dungeon 2 – The Road To A Meltdown
Hatred & Horror
- Selling price: $12.39
- Regular price: $39.99
- Genre: Turn-based, Roguelite, Tactics
- Steam Link: Darkest Dungeon 2
Full disclosure: I prefer the first one Darkest Dungeonand newcomers should start with that rather than the sequel. They're very different games though, so it doesn't really matter which one you pick up first.
Even though it changed so much in the game loop, Darkest Dungeon 2 retains its predecessor's brutal tone and stressful combat, though it achieves them in new ways. You shuffle four “heroes” into a stagecoach and travel across a Victorian apocalypse that veers into Lovecraftian territory, and your party's mental stability may be a greater danger than the terrifying monsters they face.
Darkest Dungeon 2: Every Hero, ranked
When players choose a team of four to take on Darkest Dungeon 2 with, a select few can survive the toughest difficulties while others are a liability.
DD2 combines too many mechanics, which can be challenging to keep track of during runs, but relationship management is among the most important. All heroes constantly judge each other's behavior and are prone to develop an intense hatred for each other. This is stressful enough in itself, but the characters also have a literal stress meter that gradually builds towards a psychological meltdown that might as well be game over (in most cases).
You never feel safe while playing DD2. It doesn't matter if you have the most optimized party imaginable if your heroes hate each other, refuse to help a dying ally, or yell at each other until they derail an entire run.
5
Hades 2 – Divine Humiliation
Dash your way to failure
- Selling price: $20.99
- Regular price: $29.99
- Genre: Hack and Slash, Roguelite, RPG
- Steam Link: Hades 2
Zagreu's journey feels downright simple compared to Melinoës. While the story and characters are a bit more polarizing, Hades 2 undeniably improves combat and greatly increases its complexity. Basically, you can't rely on spamming to get you out of hot water or to compensate for a lack of mechanical understanding.
Melinoë moves deliberatelyand her maximum damage requires mastering her Omega attacks and managing her Mana pool. Chrono's powers also seem up to the challenge far more than their predecessors, demonstrating enhanced spatial awareness and thwarting last-ditch escape attempts. Unlike Hadeswhich is by no means an easy game, the sequel really forces you to stand your ground, time your spells and actively think about every move you make.
6
Rabbit and Steel – Welcome to (Bullet) Hell
MMO raiding on steroids
- Selling price: $7.49
- Regular price: $14.99
- Genre: Bullet hell, roguelike, co-op
- Steam Link: Rabbit and steel
Ending with a rather unknown game, Rabbit and steel is as difficult as it looks: very, very difficult. Mino_dev sought to create a co-op roguelike that mimics the thrill of participating in MMO raids, without any of the filler that separates the high-octane boss battles. Whether you're playing alone or with friends, the process involves you taking on multi-stage bosses that throw hell at you.
With cooldown skills and three classes, Rabbit and steel combines the basic elements of MMO with overwhelming bullet hell gameplay that relies on visual cues and quick response. While some parts are quite relaxed and fun, the difficulty can suddenly explode and wipe out groups that aren't quite as coordinated as they think they are.
Before you buy Rabbit and steelI recommend trying the demo to test the core game.
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