The 10 Hardest Open World Games of All Time, Ranked

Video games are now a huge part of the entertainment industry, and many popular game franchises are focusing more on this area. However, some of these games are much more challenging than others, with complicated gameplay, difficult storylines, or a lot of collectibles to find. What makes a game hard varies from person to person – one player’s struggle might be easy for another.

I think what really makes open-world games awesome is how totally lost you can get in them. Those huge worlds aren’t just pretty backgrounds; they make the story feel real and push you to actually learn about where you are. Games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Breath of the Wild nailed it, in my opinion. They get that a game should be challenging, but in a way that makes you want to keep playing, not just throw your controller down in frustration.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War Has An Ultra-Challenging Nemesis System

When the Middle-earth games first came out, they were a huge success. Players loved seeing J.R.R. Tolkien’s world brought to life in a new way, and Monolith’s Nemesis System was truly groundbreaking. This feature made the world feel dynamic, with the armies of Mordor constantly battling for control and individual Orcs climbing the ranks. The story of Talion was gripping, and the game world was vast and encouraged players to explore.

Middle-earth: Shadow of War really showed what this series could achieve. The game’s impressive siege battles felt huge, and the improved Nemesis System made the gameplay even better. While it could be the ultimate Lord of the Rings game, be warned – it’s challenging! Players will face off against dragons, giants, and the armies of Mordor in this quickly-becoming classic.

Horizon Zero Dawn Introduces A New Battlefield

It’s rare for a brand new game series to become a hit right away, but Horizon did just that. The game quickly gained a lot of attention when it was first announced, and players were immediately excited about the idea. The detailed open world and the introduction of Aloy, a strong and interesting main character, drew people in, and the fast-paced action kept them hooked.

While some think Horizon Forbidden West is better, both games are excellent, and Horizon Zero Dawn deserves praise for being so challenging. Most sequels build on what’s already known, but Zero Dawn threw players into a completely new world. Surviving its post-apocalyptic landscape required careful planning and accurate timing when facing its robot enemies. And if you really want a challenge, the Ultra Hard difficulty is incredibly demanding and unique.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Boasts Bigger Bad Guys

Popular game franchises will keep coming out, as large development studios have the means to create even more ambitious titles. For example, Insomniac Games appears to be intentionally making each Marvel’s Spider-Man game more challenging. The first game offered tough fights against villains like the Sinister Six and Mr. Negative, but Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 really upped the ante. The Symbiote, a famously difficult enemy in the comics, makes a stunning return and truly pushes players to master their abilities.

Even after finishing the main story, there’s still a lot to do in the game, including clearing out numerous enemy bases to protect New York City. However, the biggest challenge in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 comes from the Symbiotes. Playing on the hardest difficulty, fighting the various forms of Venom can be incredibly difficult. While Venom himself is a major threat, his allies are just as tough to handle. If Carnage shows up in future games, expect even more mayhem in this expansive Marvel world.

CyberPunk 2077 Has Come A Long Way Since Its Debut

When Cyberpunk 2077 was first released, it was plagued with bugs that made it very difficult to play. Many players considered it broken and stopped playing. However, a dedicated group of fans stuck with the game, and CD Projekt RED has since released significant updates that have dramatically improved it. While it’s much better now, it’s still a challenging game.

After a rocky start, Cyberpunk 2077 now offers thrilling combat and challenging enemies within a stunning, futuristic city built to test your skills. The game’s engaging story and quick action make winning feel truly rewarding. Night City is a dangerous place filled with rival groups, so you’ll always be on your toes. If you really want a challenge, try playing on the Very Hard difficulty – you won’t be disappointed!

Ghost of Tsushima Offers Surprising Depth

Ghost of Tsushima is still one of the best open-world games released in the last ten years, largely because of its incredible world. While it has plenty of action, the game offers much more than just combat. Players can spend hours conquering forts, discovering shrines, and completing various side quests. Achieving 100% completion is a real challenge, but the game’s captivating world makes it worth the effort.

Okay, so the combat is really cool, but it’s definitely not easy. You’ve got all these different fighting stances to learn, and just when you think you’ve got them down, the game throws new enemies at you that force you to adapt. Becoming a true samurai – and the Ghost – takes a lot of practice, but when you finally nail it, you feel incredibly powerful…until the next big bad shows up and you have to learn all over again! It’s a constant cycle of learning and adapting, which is pretty awesome, honestly.

Monster Hunter Wilds Switches Up The Series

The Monster Hunter games have included open-world features in the past, but many players believe Monster Hunter Wilds takes them to the next level. It successfully combines thrilling monster battles with survival elements, offering a really tough but rewarding experience. The monsters in this new installment are designed to become more powerful as you fight them, potentially challenging even veteran players.

The game’s world is beautiful and fun to explore, and the enemies create a thrilling challenge. Capcom has really emphasized the variety of weapons, making each fight feel unique even though the core gameplay is familiar. While the quests are what push the story forward, some of them are incredibly difficult – perhaps that’s why this game has become one of Capcom’s best-selling titles ever.

Subnautica Makes Fears A Reality

Like other popular games, Subnautica has become a fan favorite, drawing players into its world. However, the first Subnautica game stands out for its truly gripping experience. Few people can remain calm when faced with the immense and mysterious ocean, and this game brilliantly uses those natural fears to create a compelling survival challenge.

Created by a team including Unknown Worlds, Panic Button, Grip Digital, and Shiny Shoe, this game is known for being incredibly challenging and constantly tests players’ skills. Discovering new areas is important, but facing the creatures and hazards of the ocean is truly frightening. For those wanting the most intense experience, Hardcore Mode offers a permanent death feature, demonstrating just how demanding Subnautica can be.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Is Out Of This World

For years, The Legend of Zelda games were known as enjoyable, all-ages adventures focused on story and a fantastical world, rather than challenging gameplay. However, Breath of the Wild marked a shift, demonstrating that Nintendo was now aiming for a more demanding experience.

The follow-up game maintained a similar style, but its incredible open world and challenging boss fights demonstrated significant growth for the series. It was the first Legend of Zelda game that truly tested players, especially those familiar with the franchise. Though Tears of the Kingdom later expanded on these ideas, Breath of the Wild introduced many new features and a higher level of difficulty. The game also featured Monk Maz Koshia, who proved to be one of the most demanding bosses in the series’ history.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Asks Players To Survive The Wild West

Survival games are always tough, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is particularly challenging because of its commitment to realism. Players will spend a lot of time both exploring its huge world and struggling to stay alive. Rockstar’s Wild West is incredibly dangerous, and the threats aren’t limited to gunfights. The environment itself feels menacing, making you feel like danger lurks everywhere.

Man, playing Red Dead Redemption 2 is a constant hustle. You’re always running from something, and it’s usually because of a bad decision I made! Seriously, one wrong move, especially when I’m just roaming around, and suddenly everyone’s after me. The story is super tense, and I often find myself relying on my guns just to survive as the Wild West drama unfolds. It really feels like a classic Western – those stories rarely have happy endings, and this game makes you feel that harsh reality. It’s tough, but it makes the world feel so real.

Elden Ring’s Scale Makes It Almost Impossible To Beat

For fans of Elden Ring, it’s not just about if they beat the game, but how long it took them. Created with writing from George R.R. Martin and developed by FromSoftware, this game is massive and breaks away from typical storytelling in big-budget titles. Instead, it presents a realistic, open world that lets you explore freely – which can be challenging considering the tough enemies you’ll encounter.

I’m totally hooked on Elden Ring, and it’s not just me – the game pulls you in with how much you can build your character and how intricate everything is. The new DLC just made things even harder, which is awesome, but it’s tough because there aren’t any easy modes. We all face the same brutal world! I’ve even seen people trying to beat the whole game without leveling up at all – it’s insane! Taking on that kind of challenge, and actually enjoying it, is seriously impressive and deserves a huge amount of respect.

2025-10-26 06:48