Summary
- Some open-world games are lauded for their difficult gameplay scenarios, attracting players seeking challenges and rewards.
- Titles like STALKER and Gothic ramp up the intensity early on, with daunting survivals and combat systems.
- Games like Elden Ring and Pathologic 2 offer tough open-world experiences with steep learning curves and rewarding victories.
Accessibility is a huge priority in most open-world games. Given how popular this genre is, most AAA developers want to wow fans by encouraging them to check out relatively easy and relaxing open-world games without being daunted by the difficulty.
However, this approach has become tiresome for many players who want to be challenged in the video games they play. This is why some of the best sandbox games around become even more popular when fans experience difficult gameplay scenarios and manage to circumvent them somehow. Overcoming that kind of challenge is part of what makes a game rewarding to play.
8 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Master Mode's Difficulty Is Weirdly Refreshing
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Breath of the Wild is quite difficult early on, before players acquire powerful equipment to help them survive the toughest encounters. This reached a point where some people found the base game to be a bit too easy. Nintendo decided to address these complaints by adding Master Mode in The Master Trials DLC.
From the very moment players see a fearsome Lynel roaming around casually in the Great Plateau, they know they're in for a rough time. Golden enemies, higher-tier combat encounters, and enemy health regeneration enhance the base game's difficulty in meaningful ways, ensuring that players must be on their A-game to deal with the many challenges that come their way in this title.
7 Valheim
Hardcore Mode Will Test The Limits Of A Player's Skill & Patience
Valheim
- Released
- February 2, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- r
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
Valheim is one of the most impressive survival games around today, and is bound to reach new heights of popularity once the full game releases. The current level of content available in the game is already so impressive that fans can't wait to see what else they can enjoy in this title.
The beauty of Valheim stems from its unique survival mechanics, making the simple act of eating food one that players have to put some thought into. Hardcore mode is the best way to enjoy Valheim's difficulty, since it's tailor-made for experts of and makes every enemy a nightmare to deal with.
6 Gothic
Early Struggles Make Players Desperate In Their Quest To Get Stronger
Gothic
- Released
- November 23, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- RPG
One of the most immersive open-world games fans can get their hands on, Gothic is a unique title that fans of classic sandbox games can enjoy. The game is brutal for beginners and punishes them for becoming a bit too overzealous in combat.
The weakest foes can mob and kill players who aren't careful, which is why booking it to a settlement is a must for players who want to survive. It's here that they can invest their hard-earned experience into honing their combat skills, allowing players to deal with enemies other than lowly scavengers.
5 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl
Tense Gunplay & Hardcore Survival Gameplay
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
- Released
- March 20, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Survival Horror
The first game in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Series opened the floodgates for fans to enjoy one of the most hardcore survival horror FPS games they can get their hands on. Later games can be more challenging, but a player's first experience with S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Will always be the hardest one.
Players must be patient if they want to brave the dangers of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Taking care of the player's hunger levels, managing radiation, and staunching wounds are just as important as dealing with anomalies and fighting off the many mutants in the game.
4 Monster Hunter Wilds
The First Open-World Monster Hunter Game Is As Difficult As Fans Expect
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Monster Hunter Wilds is one of the best games in the series, adopting a full open-world approach for the first time in this celebrated franchise. It also boasts a narrative that gives players an emotional reason to hunt down the many monsters plaguing this world.
What makes Wilds such a captivating experience is its tried-and-tested combat system, which slowly but surely ramps up the challenge. Some of the toughest hunts in the game are no joke, and require players to cooperate if they don't want to be obliterated by their foes.
3 Elden Ring
Patented FromSoftware Difficulty
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
When the topic of difficult open-world games comes up, it's only a matter of time before Elden Ring enters the conversation. Long-time FromSoftware fans find this ironic, since many people consider Elden Ring to be the easiest game that uses the company's action RPG template.
However, to say that Elden Ring is a cakewalk would also be an erroneous statement. Sure, players can explore the world, get overleveled, and ruin any challenge in the game, but not everyone approaches Elden Ring the same way. Some players prefer to stay at a certain level, losing their Runes over and over again to a challenging boss before they finally enjoy a satisfying victory against foes like Melania, Radahn, and Margit, to name a few.
2 Pathologic 2
Death Is A Learning Experience That Will Force Players To Get Better
Pathologic 2
- Released
- May 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
Pathologic 2 is a weird sequel to a weird video game that does justice to an underrated classic. While the jank of the first game could be exploited to make things easier for players, the same doesn't apply to the second title.
The lack of save-scumming, permanent debuffs upon death, and the hardcore survival mechanics make this game a nightmare to go through at times. Thankfully, the surreal world and encapsulating atmosphere give players the will to learn from their mistakes and soldier onward in a game that treats them like dirt yet doesn't feel too unfair.
1 Kenshi
Players Have No Guidance And Will Struggle Early On
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- nr
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
A huge part of Kenshi's difficulty stems from the fact that the game gives players no guidance whatsoever. It's up to them to explore the world and figure out how the game works, which usually leads to multiple humiliating deaths.
It's only after these failures that players will understand the importance of improving combat skills and acquiring a squad of characters instead of travelling all by their lonesome. Once players get over the initial difficulty hurdle, the satisfaction of creating a base of their own and unlocking a new pillar of gameplay helps Kenshi stand out as a hard yet rewarding open-world experience.
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