There are dozens upon dozens of open-world games now, but there aren’t too many in one of the most beloved genres around: RPGs. Japanese RPGs came to prominence in the NES era with classics like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, two franchises that have evolved a lot over time.
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Many RPGs are light open-world games since they have world maps to explore, but there aren’t many on the scale of something like Skyrim. There are even fewer open-world Japanese RPGs that players would consider hard, which is something that many fans enjoy. So, for anyone looking for a challenge, these difficult open-world equivalent RPGs by Japanese developers should suffice if they can track them down.
We are counting all RPGs made by Japanese developers, so not just the ones that fit the JRPG aesthetic. So, Soulslikes or tactical RPGs will be included.
Elden Ring
Accessible, But Not Easy
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- From Software
Elden Ring is an obvious choice here, since it is a Soulslike game, which is a genre that is widely recognized as being one of the hardest ones in modern gaming. It is more accessible than other games by FromSoftware, thanks to the open world, but it is by no means easy.
Players can create their character, choose a class, and then hone their build to become anything they want, from a close-range warrior to a ranged mage. Even with two other players in co-op, Elden Ring is not a cakewalk. It's a game that demands patience, precision, and lots of grinding to raise those stats before overcoming its toughest challenges.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
A Truly Frightening RPG
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is just as hard as the first game, if not more so. Players are practically thrown into a massive open world without much guidance, but that directionless approach encourages exploration, which is almost always rewarded.
While it’s not technically categorized as a Soulslike, it certainly has some similar tropes, like having random enemies that can kill players if they aren’t on their toes. It’s embarrassing to lose to a goblin just as much as it is to a giant beast. What players like about the game is that they can encounter terrifying boss creatures that can be climbed to deal extra damage, giving them a more visceral feel during combat.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Die, Craft, Repeat
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Monster Hunter Wilds is the most accessible entry in the mainline Monster Hunter series for newbies to get into. However, that’s based on a sliding scale from “hard” to “unfair” because the learning curve for these games is steep.
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Players can create their character and cat companion, known as a Palico, and choose one of fourteen weapons to wield in action combat, and mastering that weapon is a critical part of having success on the game's toughest hunts. This time around, players can hire AI-based human companions, which can make some early monster hunts less difficult. However, midway through is when the real game begins, and that’s when the true merit of players will be tested. Just a few hits from these colossal titans can send players back to camp empty-handed.
Rise Of The Ronin
Open-World Ninja Gaiden
Rise of the Ronin
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Team Ninja
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Adventure, Open-World
Rise of the Ronin was made by Team Ninja, a developer known for their brutal action and, most of all, their challenging Ninja Gaiden series. While this open-world samurai game does have difficulty options, the base level and harder difficulty modes are just as challenging as the Ninja Gaiden games.
Players will have to stay on their toes and learn how to parry enemy attacks if they wish to survive. As a loot-based RPG, there are ways to get ahead, but it does require some exploring to get the best stuff, and with exploration comes lots of danger.
Xenoblade Chronicles X
Towering In Defeat
Xenoblade Chronicles X
- Released
- December 4, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Animated Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Monolith Soft, Nintendo SPD
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
Xenoblade Chronicles X players, no matter if they have the Wii U or updated Switch version, are going to struggle. The world is absolutely massive, and there are both low-level enemies and enemies that are ten times stronger roaming around at all times. These bigger enemies will sometimes leave players alone, but they can often go agro and chase them around, usually spelling death.
It can be tricky to navigate the world to reach and complete quests, but at least death doesn’t make players lose progress. They may lose their minds after the tenth defeat in a row, though.
Unicorn Overlord
Small-Scale War
Unicorn Overlord
- Released
- March 8, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Vanillaware
- Genre(s)
- Tactical, RPG
Unicorn Overlord may not look visually impressive, as it uses sprite-based graphics, but the game is set in an open-world environment that is small but mighty. Players can roam around open areas to look for materials, take on quests from NPCs, and engage in battles.
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Missions will convert the map into a tactical experience that is melded with an RTS. Players will set up their squads, give them orders, and then battles will play out automatically once they make contact. Tactical games are often some of the toughest games around, as strategy is not something to be taken lightly.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Hard Knock Hawaii
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Released
- January 26, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Genre(s)
- RPG
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the second game in the Yakuza series to feature turn-based combat. Players can take on a variety of Jobs, from a surfer to a dancer to a chef, which gives each character new skills in battle.
As they explore Hawaii, players will encounter harder and harder enemies, often outranking and outnumbering them in the process. There is no easy way to get past them, as the game demands that players grind for EXP and loot. Thankfully, the wackiness of the story and world will keep up the players' morale.
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