The difficulty of games is a completely subjective topic, as every player is different; what some find incredibly easy may be difficult for others. While many games offer multiple difficulty options, some (like Dark Souls) leave them out altogether. Games that are too difficult can turn off some players, but some offer truly rewarding experiences for those who persevere.

Even with multiple difficulty options, some games continually challenge players from the start. This can make them inaccessible, unforgiving, and sometimes frustrating. However, open-world games often allow players to tackle challenges in a non-linear way, and exploration can provide a welcome break from constant challenges. Even with this approach, some of the best open-world games offer a real challenge due to their high difficulty curve.

5 STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl

An inaccessible but immersive experience

STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl is not necessarily the most difficult game, but players can often bounce off it from the start. Some of this can be attributed to its rough edges and increasing age, but STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl features a variety of systems and nuances that players must learn before they are able to survive in this interconnected open world.

STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl is a first-person, open-world RPG with survival horror elements, lots of resource management, and a variety of nasty creatures. These creatures aren’t the only ones trying to kill the player, though, and they often get into brutal, dangerous gunfights with opposing factions. Learning how to prepare for a journey and how to move during combat can take some getting used to, but that’s only part of what STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyland its sequels, so unique.

4 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Strategic first-person combat in a medieval open world

With a faithfully recreated medieval backdrop, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an immersive first-person RPG set in a historical open world. Taking on quests and exploring the world is often exciting, but the game’s combat will be a deal-breaker for many players.

It is a matter of taste, but Kingdom Come: Deliverance offers truly challenging combat that rewards patience, skill, and strategy. It’s never a good idea to take on multiple enemies at once, and attacking too much will almost always be punished. This merciless combat offers a challenge that can be inconsistent, but it offers a rewarding system that players can learn as they progress through the game.

3 The long darkness

Quiet, thoughtful and deeply unforgiving, The long darkness is a hardcore survival game that puts players in a frozen wilderness and requires nothing but survival. While players will have to contend with wild wolves and the occasional bear, wildlife is often the least of their worries. There are a variety of ways to The long darknessand being injured or even killed by wild animals is just one of many possibilities.

Freezing or starving is more likely. Players may start the game in good condition – perhaps they find a supply of goods – but eventually those goods run out and their condition deteriorates. This prompts the player to go out and explore, which inevitably leaves them with more problems to solve. Learning The long darkness many of the intricacies require hours of play, but its remarkably tranquil world can provide a relaxing experience when everything goes right.

2 Kenshi

A sandbox game with high replay value that offers more than meets the eye

Kenshi is a party-based RPG that may not look like much at first glance, but it offers the player a tremendous amount of freedom of action and a vast open world to explore. However, this world is extremely hostile and surviving in it is no small feat. It is quite easy to Kenshibecause there are many potential dangers lurking in the world all the time. In addition, the game’s cluttered user interface is a bit unfriendly for newcomers.

In KenshiPlayers start with control of just one character, but can soon assemble a whole party of characters (if they so choose). Learning how to earn money, fight, build a base, and simply survive in your world can take hours of gameplay. Additionally, Kenshi does not hold the player’s hand, but lets him or her free in the world. This can be frustrating at first, but is part of what Kenshi so rewarding – and so repeatable.

1 Elden Ring

A sprawling open world with classic Soulslike challenges

FromSoftware is known for developing games with high difficulty curves, as can be seen in the Dark Souls Series and perhaps even more notable in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Although Dark Souls is anything but linear, much of the world is isolated and players are carefully guided along a few select paths. Dark Souls has more in common with Metroidvanias than with pure open-world games.

One of the latest video games from FromSoftware, Elden Ringis different; in Elden Ringplayers can explore the world in the order they see fit. This world is much more expansive, offering players swathes of land to explore, dotted with landmarks and memorable locations. The world also features a variety of dungeons that vary in both difficulty and engagement. Despite this change in formula, Elden Ring maintains the high difficulty curve that the Dark Souls games are known for, they offer a truly challenging open-world experience.