# Ultra-Challenging Video Games Risk of Rain is a New Action Game That Raises the Difficulty Stakes By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2016-02-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-action-game References: [engadget](http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/23/risk-of-rain-ps4-vita-2016/) & [engadget](http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/23/risk-of-rain-ps4-vita-2016/) Risk of Rain is a brand new action game that will appeal to any gamer who likes to take on extremely challenging gaming situations. Now this isn't just any old action game, it's a ridiculously complex one that includes a whole number of widely varying but [challenging difficulty levels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humbling-soulslikes) ranging from "Very Easy" to "Impossible", challenging even the most adept and fast-learning players. What makes this game all the more challenging is the fact that you only get one life, so if you die, you have to start all over again and go through the same foes on your quest to attain victory. This new action game includes extra features such as [online matchmaking](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shape-of-dreams) and the ability to play online and locally concurrently, which means you have more options than ever to enjoy the challenging gameplay and prove your mettle. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/games) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Ultra-challenging Video Games:** Developing video games that appeal to gamers who crave intricate gameplay and find standard titles too easy, by offering widely varying and complex difficulty levels. - **One-life Gaming:** Creating video games where players have only one life to complete a set of challenges, thus increasing the game’s intensity and skill-testing abilities. - **Online Matchmaking for Videogames:** Resolving barriers to online play for video games by leveraging matchmaking technology to enable better online gaming experiences. ### Where This Applies - **Video Game Design:** Developing complex video games with higher difficulty levels to challenge even the most adept players and to cater to the increasing demand for intricate and skill-testing gameplay. - **Gaming Technology:** Designing gaming software and hardware to meet the needs of those seeking even more challenging games that test their skills. - **Online Gaming Platforms:** Building specialized online gaming platforms that include features such as matchmaking and concurrent online and local play, to enable better online experiences for gamers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hardcore Adventure ARPGs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/undecember.md) - [Cooperative Alien Survival Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rainbow-six-extraction.md) - [Racing Strategy Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/escape-road.md) - [Zombie Survival Challenges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bullets-brains.md) - [First-Person Television-Inspired Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/not-for-broadcast.md) - [Multimedia Treasure Hunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/madoks-interactive-treasure-hunt.md) - [Point-and-Click Escape Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/escape-room-phantom-train.md) - [Mentally Stimulating Game Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fresh-words-word-game.md) - [Haunting Gaming Adventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hauntii-xbox-game.md)