Summary
- Some hardcore players seek challenging sandbox games that push their skills to the limit.
- Kenshi drops players into a world with no guidance, requiring struggle and tactical skills.
- Mastering combat mechanics and expanding the world challenges players in The Matchless Kungfu.
The vast majority of open-world game devs try to make their games as accessible as possible. While this approach is appreciated by many gamers, some hardcore players want to immerse themselves in a sandbox game that respects their skills and pushes them to their very limits.
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As stressful as these video games can be, players can't help but feel an immense sense of satisfaction after conquering a game's mechanics and overcoming its challenges. This may lead to a steep learning curve, with only a few dedicated players being patient enough to master the mechanics and enjoy an experience unlike anything else in the open-world genre.
1 Kenshi
Drops Players Unceremoniously Into The World With Little To No Guidance
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Lo-Fi Games
- Publisher(s)
- Lo-Fi Games
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
In an age when most video games hold a player's hand throughout their journey, games like Kenshi should be praised for trusting them to find their way. Players start in the middle of nowhere with almost nothing to their name and must struggle to live in a wasteland where everything is gunning for their head.
Amassing a squad of talented fighters and enhancing their skills is critical to help players survive in the brutal world of Kenshi. Without taking the time to improve a player's skills, the protagonist will die the very moment they encounter a lowly Bonedog.
2 The Matchless Kungfu
Players Must Master The Complicated Combat And Expand The World As They Get Stronger
The Matchless Kungfu
- Released
- November 6, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
A Wuxia open-world game with a focus on unique turn-based combat and a world that is constantly growing, The Matchless Kungfu is an absolute gem that fans will love to get their hands on. The cycle of rebirth means that players shouldn't be too sad about dying, unless they get a character with so many defects that it's better to start fresh.
The most unique part about The Matchless Kungfu is how the world expands. Players only get to explore a small zone early on, but they get the opportunity to set the world block of their choice as their character grows stronger. It's a simple yet innovative way to reward a player's progress while constantly letting them encounter new and fresh challenges in other zones.
3 STALKER: Clear Sky
Considered By Many To Be The Hardest Game In The Series
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
- Released
- September 15, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- GSC Game World
- Publisher(s)
- GSC Game World, Deep Silver
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The STALKER series is full of challenging titles that will test a player's patience, but Clear Sky is on a whole different level in this department. The beginning of this game is so obtuse that most players will just drop the title instead of dealing with this headache.
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It's only after the first few hours that Clear Sky expands and lets players engage in some of the best firefights in the series. Players must be wary of anomalies and keep their survival stats in check if they don't want to become yet another victim of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
4 Elden Ring
FromSoftware's Action RPG Template Is Complicated, But The Community Will Guide Players
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
The Soulsborne games are so hardcore that many players must rely on guides and community advice to wrap their heads around the layered mechanics and shrouded lore. This is why Elden Ring can be such a headache for newcomers to this style of video game.
A few of the many things that players must keep track of in the game include damage types, weapon scaling, long-term builds, and status resistances, just to name a few. All of this ensures that the action-packed combat can be as easy or as hard as players want, depending on how much attention they're willing to pay to the game's hardcore mechanics.
5 Project Zomboid
One Of The Most Hardcore Yet Rewarding Open-World Survival Horror Games
Project Zomboid
- Released
- November 8, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- The Indie Stone
- Publisher(s)
- The Indie Stone
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC
Project Zomboid is one of the best survival horror games that fans can get their hands on. It's also one of the hardest, since a single bite from a zombie is enough to infect players and cause a game over.
This makes it important to level up a survivor's skills, figure out ways to protect themselves, and barricade hideouts to prevent zombies from breaking in. It's a nerve-wracking game early on, but players with the patience to understand how the game works will be able to scrounge up a ton of loot and survive for days on end.
6 Dwarf Fortress
Players Who Take On The Role Of An Adventurer Can Explore A Massive, Procedurally Generated World
Dwarf Fortress
- Released
- August 8, 2006
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Strategy, Simulation
- Platform(s)
- Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
While Dwarf Fortress started as a construction and management simulator, it has slowly transformed into something special that fans can't stop playing. One of the relatively newer additions to this game is a mode that lets players role-play as an adventurer in this ever-expanding open world.
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One look at the combat system will make it clear why the mechanics can be a bit too hardcore for casual players. There are so many options to choose from that players will have to spend a few hours reading up on these mechanics and dying in multiple runs before they finally get the hang of how things work.
7 Caves Of Qud
An Open-World Roguelike That's Bursting With Content
Caves Of Qud
- Released
- July 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Caves of Qud is an open-world roguelike that is not for the faint of heart. The early game can be so brutal that players will die within minutes of stepping into the sandbox, which can make for a frustrating experience.
Players must figure out how to enter the world with a build that can hold its own in the early game before acquiring the strength they need to smash enemies that were giving them a hard time previously. Even then, players must be on their toes every step of the way, since rival factions and ridiculously powerful enemies can end their run in a flash if they aren't careful.
8 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Drops Players Unceremoniously Into The World With Little To No Guidance
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Released
- February 4, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Warhorse Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Deep Silver
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action-Adventure, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one of the best open-world games and a substantial improvement over its predecessor. The combat itself is a bit of a doozy, although players from the first game should have enough knowledge about the basics to make things a bit easier for themselves.
Along with this, Henry must maintain his cleanliness at all times and be prudent about his approach in hostile situations, since players only have limited avenues for saving. This adds a refreshing layer of tension to the gameplay, even if players are dissuaded from taking a risky approach in combat.
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