The Most Challenging Crystal Dynamics Games Ever Made

Crystal Dynamics has developed a variety of tough titles, but these games stand out as the most grueling to conquer.
The Most Challenging Crystal Dynamics Games Ever Made

Highlights

  • Tomb Raider: Underworld offers a mix of challenging puzzles and intense combat for a balanced difficulty level.
  • Tomb Raider: Anniversary introduces new mechanics and tough enemies, reminiscent of the original game.
  • Akuji the Heartless features inventive level design, varied enemies, and brutal combat and puzzles for a standout difficulty level.

Crystal Dynamics stands out among game developers for their diverse range of titles. While they have delved into various genres, their recent focus has been on action-adventure games. Despite not being known for extreme difficulty, some Crystal Dynamics games have gained a reputation for being particularly challenging to complete.

7 Tomb Raider: Underworld

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.06

Tomb Raider: Underworld, part of the "Legends" reboot, impressed fans with its gameplay variety and engaging story. It skillfully balanced challenging puzzles and intense combat, reminiscent of the series' earlier difficulty levels.

6 Tomb Raider: Anniversary

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.08

Tomb Raider: Anniversary, a remake of the original game, introduces new mechanics while maintaining the challenging level design of its predecessor. Players face tough enemies and navigate treacherous environments, providing a formidable challenge.

5 Pandemonium 2

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.13

Pandemonium 2's unique presentation and platforming gameplay offer players a challenging experience. With psychedelic levels and distinct character abilities, navigating through the game's bizarre world presents a significant challenge.

4 Mad Dash Racing

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.13

Mad Dash Racing, inspired by the success of Sonic R, introduces unique class-based mechanics that add complexity to the gameplay. Each character class offers advantages and disadvantages, making races unpredictable and challenging for players.

3 Akuji The Heartless

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.14

Akuji the Heartless, a hidden gem of the original PlayStation era, stands out for its inventive level design and challenging combat. Players face relentless enemies and intricate puzzles, contributing to the game's reputation for its high level of difficulty.

2 Project Snowblind

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.16

Project Snowblind marks Crystal Dynamics' venture into the FPS genre, offering players a challenging experience with its strategic gameplay. The game's initial difficulty stems from limited resources and encourages thorough exploration to survive the intense combat encounters.

1 Whiplash

GameFAQs Difficulty Rating: 3.29

  • Release Date: November 2003
  • Platforms: Xbox, PS2
  • Genre: Action-Adventure

Whiplash presents players with a unique challenge as they control Spanx and Redmond, two animals trying to escape captivity. The game's cooperative gameplay adds a layer of difficulty, requiring players to strategize and navigate through complex environments to succeed.

These Crystal Dynamics games offer a blend of innovative gameplay and challenging obstacles, testing players' skills and determination to overcome the toughest of challenges.