Open-World RPGs That Force You To Get Good

The phrase “Git gud” originated within the notoriously difficult game Dark Souls and its dedicated community. It quickly became a popular meme used across many different games – from competitive online titles to challenging single-player adventures – to playfully suggest that difficulty isn’t a game’s fault, but rather a matter of improving one’s skills.

Some games are intentionally very difficult, demanding that you learn, improve, and overcome obstacles – or move on to something easier. If you enjoy a challenge and want to truly test your skills, here are some open-world RPGs that will push you to become a better player, rather than holding your hand.

Project Zomboid

The Game Is Over As Soon As You Get Sloppy

While not as complex as some other games, Project Zomboid still offers RPG elements through its skill progression and character customization at the start. You play as the last survivor in a huge, zombie-infested world, and your main goal is simply to stay alive. This means finding a safe place to call home and gathering essential supplies like food, water, fuel, and medicine. Most players consider the ‘Apocalypse’ difficulty setting to be the standard way to experience Project Zomboid, and it’s quite challenging – resources are scarce, and you’ll face large groups of smart and dangerous zombies.

You need to think through every choice you make, and always have a backup plan, or you’ll quickly be overwhelmed. Getting bitten means instant failure, sending you back to the beginning as the virus takes over. Expect to fail a lot, even after playing for a while, because the game is complex and demands constant attention. But just like your character gains skills to survive, you’ll gradually learn the rules of this post-apocalyptic world.

Pathologic 2

Get Used To Cortisol Spikes

What’s one of the most stressful things a game can do? A time limit, definitely. Nobody likes deadlines, and the game Pathologic 2 really uses this to its advantage. You’re trying to survive a deadly plague, but you only have twelve days to do it. Every day that passes feels urgent, and your choices determine who lives and who dies.

The game forces you to make tough choices, often requiring you to harm or deceive others just to stay alive. It relentlessly shows you that there are no easy answers or happy endings. This dark and stressful atmosphere, combined with the constant pressure and need to survive, will push you to your limits – adapt and overcome, or face defeat.

Gothic 1 & 2

This Fantasy World Has No Chill

Like many older games, Gothic 2 and the original Gothic can be very challenging, especially at the beginning. Combat feels awkward, and you start with weak gear and low damage. Plus, enemies can defeat you quickly if you aren’t ready for a fight. The game doesn’t adjust to your skill level, making early gameplay particularly difficult.

The upcoming Gothic Remake should be fascinating, especially considering how it handles gameplay. Beyond the action, the original Gothic games were known for a classic design choice: they didn’t hold your hand. There were no quest markers, and you had to rely on your memory and exploration to progress. It can be challenging, but for RPG fans, the experience is incredibly rewarding.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Come Back When You’re Stronger

I remember when I first played the original Dragon’s Dogma – it definitely took some getting used to! The game doesn’t really hold your hand, and the enemies are tough no matter where you are. It was easy to wander into an area and immediately get wrecked, honestly. Even early on, some fights were surprisingly hard – those bandits, ugh! And you really had to pay attention to your stamina when fighting bigger monsters, or you were in trouble. It was challenging, but that’s part of what I loved about it!

This game requires a lot of repetition, so you’ll often need to level up and return to challenges later on. You can’t just power through them. Beyond getting good at fighting and maximizing your companions’ abilities, crafting and improving your gear is a complex system to learn, though it’s still not as difficult as some of the ‘Souls’ games – which might offer some comfort!

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 1 & 2

The Realistic Combat Is Intimidating For Many

If you haven’t played the Kingdom Come: Deliverance games, you probably know they’re famous for their challenging combat. The games do have tutorials that teach you basic moves like blocking, feinting, and dodging, but mastering the system takes practice. It’s a very detailed and realistic sword-fighting experience that requires a lot of getting used to.

Look, this game isn’t a quick win. It takes real time and effort to get good, which might frustrate players who are used to things being simpler. Don’t bother looking for easy cheat codes to become a combat master as Henry – there aren’t any! You can make things a little easier by leveling up and getting better gear, but ultimately, it’s about skill. If you love a good challenge and that satisfying feeling of actually improving as you play, this game will definitely test you, but it’s totally worth it. Just be prepared to be patient!

Outward

Plan Your Adventure, Or Fail To Survive

As the release of Outward 2 approaches, it’s worth remembering how uniquely challenging the first Outward game is. It’s a role-playing game where your actions really matter, and you can’t just rush into situations unprepared. Unlike many other RPGs, Outward includes survival elements – you need to worry about things like thirst and tiredness. Plus, there’s no quick travel, meaning you’ll spend a lot of time exploring the world on foot, which is already a risky undertaking.

Enemies in Outward are tough, so it’s crucial to be prepared before you start traveling. What happens when you die is also unique: you don’t just reload a save. Instead, you might find yourself in a completely new location, or even as a prisoner, losing your possessions in the process. This adds a fun roleplaying element to even your failures, but it also makes getting your stuff back a challenge after you’ve been dropped somewhere new.

Elden Ring

Soulslike In Open-World Format

Despite being called the most accessible Souls-like game yet because of its open world, Elden Ring remains challenging, especially for newcomers or those unfamiliar with the genre. While the expansive world allows you to explore and gradually become stronger, many of the game’s regular bosses and enemies still have attacks that can feel overwhelming. Unexpected status effects and relentless attack combos mean danger is always present as you explore the Lands Between.

The game throws all sorts of challenges at you – not just enemies, but also dangerous environments like rolling boulders and vast areas covered in deadly Scarlet Rot. Personally, I found the Basilisks, with their instant-death attacks, particularly stressful! And then there are the major bosses, designed for epic battles. The first big dungeon boss, Margit, was notoriously difficult for newcomers to the Soulslike genre, while Malenia later became famous for being incredibly challenging – players shared countless memes about her! Ultimately, Elden Ring doesn’t make things easy, but it pushes you to improve and return stronger for a true test of skill.

Kenshi

Great Freedom, Through Great Suffering

If you’re looking for a challenging game that doesn’t hold your hand, Kenshi is a prime example. Unlike many popular RPGs like The Witcher 3 or Skyrim, which often cast you as a hero, Kenshi throws you into its world as a weak, insignificant character. To survive and improve, you’ll need to work hard to develop your skills – there’s no easy path to power.

This game doesn’t hold your hand or offer much guidance. You’ll learn by repeatedly failing, dying in the harsh desert, and figuring things out through experience. Expect a rough start – you’ll probably be captured and forced into slavery within the first half hour. It’s a far cry from the typical heroic beginnings in games like those made by Bethesda, but overcoming these challenges and mastering the game’s mechanics makes the eventual rewards feel even more satisfying.

2026-02-10 08:35