FPS Games Harder Than DOOM Eternal

Developer id Software is back to making sequels significantly more difficult than their predecessors. The reboot DOOM (2016) was likely meant to draw players back to the franchise, while the sequel tests players' skill. While a series like Dark Souls is becoming progressively easier, DOOM has done the opposite. With difficulty levels called "Hurt Me Plenty" and "Ultra-Nightmare," DOOM Eternal is not meant for the faint of heart.

The following games are brutally more difficult than DOOM Eternal. It's not a question of if, but when players will die. They may as well quit while they're ahead. Some first-person shooter games harder than DOOM Eternal deserve this reputation for all the right reasons.

Updated by Ritwik Mitra on March 15, 2024: DOOM Eternal may not have hit the ground running the same way as its prequel did, but it was ultimately successful in making the franchise relevant again. Ripping and tearing through demons while listening to a metal soundtrack never ceases to be fascinating, and it's easy to see why so many players were captivated by the impressive gameplay of DOOM Eternal. Players who want to check out games that are tougher than this demon-slaying title will be surprised to know that quite a few FPS titles fit the bill.

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18 Apex Legends

Battle Royale With Experienced Players

Apex Legends is the culmination of a lot of hard work for Respawn. The studio's work on Titanfall 2 was impressive but ultimately forgotten, in no small part because of the previous game's poor reception. It's a shame, since people who gave this game a shot loved the emotional single-player campaign and its amazing gameplay.

So, instead of trying to develop Titanfall 3, Respawn decided to integrate the same gameplay advancements in a battle royale that would play to their strengths. The end result is a tough and rewarding experience with a huge player base and regular updates, making it clear why Apex Legends is beloved by the masses.

17 Valorant

Hero Shooter Abilities With Tactical FPS Gameplay

The idea of combining the tactical gameplay of titles like Counter-Strike with the modern advancements in the hero shooter genre was a massive success for Valorant. The game was a huge hit upon release, and continues to wow fans to this day.

Players should expect a steep learning curve and their fair share of abuse from seasoned teammates while playing this game. It's a daunting scene to get into, but FPS veterans who don't mind a bit of challenge will find this game to be right up their alley.

16 Escape From Tarkov

A Realistic, Hardcore Multiplayer Shooter That Takes No Prisoners

Unlike other FPS games that let players enjoy a power fantasy, Escape from Tarkov will make players feel like dirt if they try to become a one-man army. Teamwork is essential to winning raids, letting players finally come to grips with how this game functions.

It's normal for players to die over and over again before they finally get the hang of things. Winning rounds in Escape from Tarkov and schooling the opposition makes for a great time that fans can't get enough of.

15 System Shock 2 (Impossible Difficulty)

Respawning Enemies And Lack Of Resources Are Huge Pains

The fact that System Shock 2 even has a difficulty setting labeled "Impossible" should be enough of an explanation as to why Electronic Arts' title earns a spot on this list.

With a Metascore of 92 , System Shock 2 is one of the most critically acclaimed first-person shooters of all time. The game is reminiscent of BioShock, which was also developed by Irrational Games (2K Boston), due to the game's eery atmosphere, sense of being stranded, and innovative combat mechanics that would influence the gaming industry for years to come.

14 Duke Nukem 3D (Damn, I'm Good Difficulty)

Old-School FPS Games Are Incredibly Difficult

Understandably considered to be the most successful DOOM- clone of all time, Duke Nukem 3D was released in 1996 by the team of 3D Realms and FromGen to critical acclaim, predominantly due to its destructible environments that were unique for the time.

Duke Nukem 3D didn't hide its DOOM influences and tried to one-up id Software's original two titles with its Damn, I'm Good difficulty level that caused enemies to respawn much like DOOM's Nightmare setting.

13 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl (Master Difficulty)

Every Action Needs To Be Calculated

The first entry in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Series, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was released in 2007 to a positive critical reception, exemplified by its 82 Metascore. The game was praised for its realistic post-apocalyptic survival gameplay and RPG mechanics that players need to pay close attention to if they want to survive Master difficulty.

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A sequel, titled S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, is confirmed to be in development. Very little has been heard about the upcoming game, other than the news that it will be coming to Game Pass for the Xbox Series X|S on day one of its release.

12 Operation Flashpoint: Red River (Hardcore Difficulty)

A Single Bullet Can Be Deadly

Operation Flashpoint: Red River was released in 2011 by Codemasters, and is still one of the most realistic Tactical Shooters on the market today. The game didn't perform particularly well with critics, exemplified by its PC Metascore of 67, though it did offer a uniquely intense co-op experience.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River's difficulty comes from enemies being able to kill players with just one bullet; this may seem extreme even for hardcore mode, but believe it or not, this is the case with normal difficulty too. Hardcore mode still manages to find a way to ramp up the challenge even further, by removing the player's HUD.

11 Arma 2 (Expert Difficulty)

A Military Sim That Is As Brutal As One Could Expect

From one Tactical Shooter to another, Arma 2 was released in 2009 by Bohemia Interactive and is a successor to Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis, which is now known as ArmA: Cold War Assault. Similar to the Operation Flashpoint series, running and gunning simply isn't an option, as players must opt for careful, methodical squad tactics if they want to survive.

Much like the aforementioned Operation Flashpoint: Red River, playing on the hardest difficulty removes some of ArmA II's key features, such as the handy third-person mode.

10 Metro 2033 (Hardcore Difficulty)

A Single Missed Shot Can Spell Doom

Metro 2033 seems to be more difficult than its successor, Metro: Last Light. There aren't very many people who would recommend diving into the hardest difficulty right away.

If players purchase the DLC, they can unlock two more difficulty modes that are even more demanding. The three standard difficulty modes should be enough for them to question their gaming skill. However, players will have to be hard as nails to get through Metro 2033 on Hardcore difficulty.

9 GoldenEye 007 (00 Agent Difficulty)

A Perfect Example Of What 'Nintendo Hard' Means

Not only is it difficult to defend against tumultuous enemies with an array of weapons, but players must also achieve a list of objectives to beat any given level. This list of mission objectives grows with each difficulty increase. Finally, there's 00 Agent, the hardest difficulty in GoldenEye 007 (aside from the 007 customizable difficulty).

Most players probably resorted to using cheat codes to progress. Even on Agent difficulty, many players will find levels like Frigate, Complex, Jungle, and Caverns an arduous experience.