Open-World Games With The Most Difficult Endgame Content

Open-World Games With The Most Difficult Endgame Content

Key Takeaways

  • Open-world games can offer a mix of exploration, combat, and endgame challenges to add depth and difficulty.
  • Games like Elden Ring and Fallout 4 provide tough combat mechanics, challenging bosses, and increased difficulty settings.
  • The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim ups the challenge with mods, while No Man’s Sky’s endgame focuses on managing fleets and survival.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I can confidently say that the world of open-world games has evolved significantly since I first ventured into the mystical realm of Skyrim back in the day. Over the years, I’ve battled Mongols, explored space, and even survived the apocalypse – all while honing my skills to conquer the toughest challenges these games have to offer.


In numerous open-world games, the primary gameplay revolves around exploration and questing, which is generally enjoyable, yet it may result in these games offering less challenge than anticipated, leaning more towards interactive amusement rather than a demanding video game.

However, there are open-world games that offer a blend of fun and rigorous play. Some of these games increase overall difficulty through additional settings. Additionally, certain titles present endgame content that can be unexpectedly challenging, almost as if it’s a brick wall compared to the rest of the game, making earlier levels seem relatively easy.

7 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Provides Tough Bosses And Challenges In The Endgame

In “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” the experience begins with a tranquil vibe that persists nearly until the climax. The majority of the game involves immersive exploration of an expansive open-world landscape, and it’s also filled with numerous puzzles to solve.

In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, when a player reaches the endgame, things become different. Several late-game bosses are exceptionally challenging and demand that the player has near-perfect command over the combat systems. Additionally, there’s the Trial of the Sword challenge, where Link starts with no gear, forcing players to rely solely on their skill to complete it.

6 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

Pits Players Against Challenging Mythological Foes

Nestled in Ancient Greece and steeped in mythology, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey boasts one of the most captivating open-world game landscapes ever designed. As you journey through this world, you’ll find yourself entangled in a intricate political web while encountering legendary beasts in battle.

In “The Fate of Atlantis” DLC, some challenging adversaries like Cyclops and Medusa are introduced, making the game significantly harder, especially towards the end. Mastering the combat system is crucial for players to overcome these powerful foes.

5 Elden Ring

The Endgame Features Some Of The Hardest Bosses

Elden Ring is often recognized as one of the toughest open-world games currently available, offering a substantial challenge even for experienced gamers. The game’s combat system demands players to become proficient in evading, timing attacks, and healing at strategic moments.

In Elden Ring, several boss battles are incredibly tough, with the optional end-game bosses being among the hardest ever designed. To conquer these challenges, a deep understanding of the combat mechanics and a well-constructed character build are essential. Lacking these skills can make the game feel intensely frustrating since it offers no mercy whatsoever.

4 Ghost Of Tsushima

The Endgame Requires A Mastery Of The Combat System

In “Ghost of Tsushima,” there’s a delightful blend of action, combat, and exploration on an intricately designed open-world map. As the player, you’re given the mission to track down numerous Mongol warlords, which is quite a formidable task in itself.

As the game progresses, players will find themselves facing progressively challenging adversaries. Battling a skilled swordsman in “Ghost of Tsushima” requires mastering the intricate mechanics of its exceptional combat system. The game’s advanced mythic quests are also known for their high level of difficulty.

3 Fallout 4

A Classic Bethesda Open-World With A Tough Survival Mode

Enthusiasts of the game Fallout 4 frequently praise it as the top open-world map ever created by Bethesda. In regular play mode, the game can be quite challenging, particularly for those who are new to the game and haven’t figured out how to create an efficient character build yet.

In survival mode, the game’s challenges intensify substantially, making it feel incredibly tough at times. Previously manageable enemies transform into formidable threats, even when they appear in groups. As the game progresses, its difficulty level escalates steadily. Additional content like Nuka-World and Far Harbor only serve to heighten these difficulties.

2 No Man’s Sky

The Endgame Features Various Challenging Loops

In the game known as No Man’s Sky, you traverse an expansive universe featuring more than a trillion star systems, offering endless possibilities for exploration. While space and ground battles can be simple at times, it isn’t these combats that make the game challenging in its latter stages. Instead, it’s the sheer vastness of this universe that truly tests players.

The real challenge in the endgame is gameplay loops such as timed expeditions, managing a large fleet of capital ships, and having to take on increasingly dangerous waves of sentinels. Players who want an even tougher challenge, can play in survival mode, which features permadeath and much more demanding survival mechanics.

1 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Mods And DLC Make The Game Harder

Playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim on lower difficulty levels often makes it less challenging in several aspects. For one, combats tend to be less demanding, and due to an abundance of online resources detailing quest solutions, character builds, and gear recommendations, completing the game becomes more straightforward than in games with higher difficulty settings.

In Legendary mode, the game gets tougher, but it’s still winnable. The Dragonborn DLC offers additional hurdles. However, the true test in Skyrim lies in installing one of its numerous mods that increase the game’s challenge. For instance, the Ultimate Skyrim mod significantly alters nearly all aspects of the game, escalating the difficulty to extreme levels.

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2024-10-18 12:34