The inclusion of quick-time events in games is often a hotly debated topic. Some people swear by them, citing how they bring players into scenes that they otherwise generally have no control over, while others hate them, bringing up complaints like their sudden nature and occasional poor implementation.
Whether you love them or not, quick-time events will likely continue to pop up in various genres across the world of gaming. With that said, not all quick-time events are created equal. There are a number of incredibly difficult events that get plenty of players tossing controllers for a variety of unique reasons.
10 That Krauser Fight - Resident Evil 4
With how often Resident Evil is heralded as one of the greatest games of all time, many players seem to forget what playing the game was like for the first time. People can be split on the Krauser knife fight, but it’s fair to say it’s fairly difficult to complete even on repeat playthroughs.
The difficulty comes from a variety of different places. The length of the entire scene can make it tough as it’s possible many players don’t expect a full-on fight to play out. Some of the prompts have incredibly tight windows as well, making it possible to screw up even if you know when the prompt is coming.
9 A Tense Moment - Until Dawn
While some quick-time events can be difficult for small button prompt windows, or overly complex button combinations, this moment is tough because it asks the exact opposite of what players may expect. Rather than push buttons frantically, you need to remain completely still.
Tons of players have made it to that point in Until Dawn, only to nudge their controller ever so slightly, leading to a rather unfortunate fate. For those that are easily scared, but still love horror games, that’s one section you’ll want to know about ahead of time.
8 Electricity Maze - Heavy Rain
While a game like Heavy Rain is essentially one big quick-time event, there are a few sections that are often mentioned as the most difficult. Fans tend to point to Ethan’s hectic driving section, but the lesser talked about and often more difficult section features some electrical wires.
The entire scene is one of the tensest in the game as the sound of crackling electricity is just about all you can hear. Ethan’s slow approach to the high-voltage wires is sure to get the player’s heart racing as they move through a complex series of prompts.
7 Zanghyu - Shenmue 2
There are few games as revolutionary as Shenmue 2. The game tried to do so many new things that players had never seen before, and one of those things took place during one of the game’s many iconic scenes.
It’s fair to say that most of Shenmue 2 was probably tough when it came out as quick-time events weren’t exactly common at that point. The barber in particular is tough because the player has to trust what they’ve heard and actually ignore the prompts they’ve been following up to that point.
6 Playing The Game - Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi
Players seem to be split on their opinions of Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi. Many argue that the game features the series' best graphical style, but many argue that it also features some of the worst combat gameplay across the franchise.
The issue that many players have stemmed from the game's rock, paper, scissors style of action that can play out far more often than most would like. On higher difficulties, it can often feel like executing even a basic combo is nearly impossible due to the RNG-based quick-time events.
5 Fight Wesker - Resident Evil 5
While most people remember one specific boulder-punching quick-time event from this game, Resident Evil 5 features its fair share of unique quick-time events. One of the most difficult, due to the short prompt windows, comes from the plane fight that sees Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar going up against Albert Wesker.
One person having to focus on tough quick-time events is one thing, but relying on a partner to also nail their prompts can be tough. The entire event may actually be rightfully difficult since it is essentially the game's conclusion, but the tough series of quick-time events may still frustrate just about anyone.
4 The Final Fight - Mercenaries 2
There were likely a number of people who were surprised when the final boss of Mercenaries 2 ended up being a hectic quick-time event. One of the things that make the event so difficult is the fact that players may not have seen it coming at all.
The scene deserves credit for being admittedly epic in the minds of many gamers, but its inclusion has also frustrated many. The scene is simple to get down after a few tries, but it’s incredibly easy to screw up on a first playthrough, something that may annoy players who were enjoying their power trip through the game.
3 The Fireballs - Bayonetta
Just about anyone who has played Bayonetta has been taken out by that dastardly fireball quick-time event. The event itself is short, but the button prompt window is so small and the scene is such a surprise, that many people are likely to take at least one death thanks to it.
The event is actually so sudden that if the player isn’t expecting it, it’s pretty much impossible to pull off without taking at least one death. The scene may be epic, but it’s also the cause of an equally epic headache.
2 Multiple Events - Tomb Raider (2013)
While many games feature a number of quick-time events to keep you involved during more cinematic game moments, few seem to complain about those events as much as they do for the ones in 2013’s Tomb Raider.
The biggest issue that most players have with the game's quick-time events is the fact that, depending on the game version, the event prompts can be relatively confusing. Poorly executed quick-time events are one thing, but events that have players unsure of how to succeed are hard to overlook - especially in high-profile releases.
1 Metal Gear Solid - Torture Scene
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Sometimes, quick-time events are incredibly simplistic in execution. That simplicity can actually lead to some pretty difficult events, especially across the Metal Gear series. One of the most difficult comes during Metal Gear Solid.
Almost every entry in the series features its own button-spamming quick-time event, but one of the most difficult includes you attempting to survive the torture. Anyone who’s played Metal Gear Solid on its hardest settings knows just how impossible not only that scene, but the entire game can feel.