HardAF

Indescribably buns. Too hard to describe. I could only get as far as level five before I learned hitboxes are not so accurate, and hazards can be tightly packed. And all your unlocks have limited uses that you can only get back after spinning wheels or playing slots when you beat a level.

HardAF, developed by HardBox Games and published by IndieArk, is a brutally challenging 2D precision platformer that pushes players to their limits with its demanding gameplay and clever design. The game’s defining feature is its unique approach to exploration and learning—players start each level shrouded in darkness, with only the area immediately around their character visible. This darkness means that every failure is not just a setback but an opportunity to gradually illuminate the path ahead, transforming death into a valuable learning tool. This mechanic forces players to rely heavily on memory and sharp reflexes as they slowly piece together the layout of each treacherous stage, making progression feel hard-earned and deeply satisfying. The game is structured into six chapters comprising more than sixty meticulously designed levels, each filled with deadly traps, precise jumps, and tricky platforming challenges. The levels escalate in difficulty at a steady, unforgiving pace, ensuring that players must constantly refine their skills to advance. Each chapter culminates in a boss battle that tests not only the player's mastery of the mechanics but also their ability to adapt…

I really enjoyed the game. The gameplay is similar to Super Meat Boy, but with something new added to the formula. The levels are generally simpler than in that game, but the exploratory aspect makes up for it. The game still has a few bugs, but it’s perfectly playable. The only drawback I noticed is that some levels are very difficult and are placed between much easier ones, which creates sudden difficulty spikes within level sequences. Aside from that, I was very satisfied with the experience and would recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of a challenge. I’d also like to point out that I played the entire game on Steam Deck.

Very FUN Game! It is silly to play and not very Hard, but not crazy easy!

I loved the demo of this so I bought the game as I could, but I feel like it lags more and more through each chapter. The graphics aren't that complex so I was fine turning them down, literally to 600x800, and it wasn't like my laptop was heating up, but I just kept clipping through the floor or dashing offscreen, sometimes it wouldn't let me double jump! Anyway, nobody else seems to have my problem, and I'm gonna keep playing, but it does bother me when the deaths don't feel like they're my fault.

This is mostly a very standard and simple 2D platformer. You can jump, double jump, and dash your way past spikes and saws to reach the end of short levels. The controls (once you change the awful default keyboard bindings) feel pretty decent. The main gimmick is that the levels are completely dark, so you cannot see the obstacles you are supposed to avoid. But every time you die, your blood splatters and makes parts of the level visible. When I first heard that concept, I thought it sounded kind of dumb and like it would just turn the game into a trial-and-error simulator. Even after playing it, I still think the idea is a bit dumb, but honestly not nearly as bad as I expected. In a weird way, it actually makes the game feel quite relaxing, because dying makes the level easier. Deaths do not really feel like failure, just part of the process. The levels are also short, and the longer ones even have checkpoints, so you are rarely stuck on one section for too long. The boss stage at the end of each chapter was honestly pretty neat, and it is the second reason this game is not completely forgettable. Although the final boss was really annoying and I never want to fight him again. A…