You can also choose to play a game designed to be easy. A game like hotline Miami on “chill mode” is not the same as the actually hard hotline Miami.

If you want to just walk from cut scene to cut scene just watch someone else play the game.

Yes it’s a choice, but there need to be games that are difficult for that choice matter.

Many hard modes are just bullet sponges and extra grinding.

Where else can we find difficult games that are meant to be difficult in every aspect and not just a tacked on mode with larger health numbers?

That’s what souls games are. If you want an easy mode play ER or a different game. Not every game is designed for you.

The choice existing would impact how players play, which may also go against the artistic vision. You don't have to play a non-chill game.