Top 10 Open-World Games To Play On The Hardest Difficulty

Summary

Hardest difficulty options in open-world games provide a challenging experience for players.
Increasing difficulty levels prevent combat from becoming monotonous in games like Skyrim and Marvel’s Spider-Man.
Hardcore modes like in Fallout: New Vegas and The Witcher 3 offer fresh and challenging gameplay experiences.

Exceptional open-world games offer an exhilarating experience as they provide vast playgrounds for players to roam and appreciate the game mechanics. Frequently, these games feature engaging combat systems that are delightful to interact with, and they skillfully help players progressively strengthen their abilities over the course of the game.

Yet, this situation may cause an issue where the game struggles to maintain a balance and leaves players feeling under-engaged at lower settings. This is the reason why they’ll appreciate the toughest difficulty modes in these games, as they bring back the challenge, forcing players to carefully consider their actions before engaging in combat with a formidable enemy.

8. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

The Game Is Way Too Easy On Lower Difficulties

Skyrim is often hailed as one of the greatest video games ever made; however, even its most ardent supporters can’t deny that the gameplay balance isn’t always consistent. At lower difficulty settings, it offers a decent level of challenge, but as the Dragonborn gains power, the game becomes surprisingly easy to conquer.

For those seeking an engaging experience with a good level of challenge, it’s advisable to increase the game’s difficulty level. While Legendary mode might not introduce drastic changes beyond tweaking the damage system, it still offers an exhilarating gameplay experience in Skyrim that players will find enjoyable.

7. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Miles & Peter Must Use All The Tricks In Their Arsenal

In simpler terms, “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” stands among the finest video games currently available for enthusiasts to play. This outstanding sequel showcases significant enhancements across various aspects. The combat system might initially appear challenging, but as the Spider-Men gain strength, it becomes progressively easier to handle.

People seeking a real test of their skills in battle, where they must strategize to minimize damage, will find Spectacular difficulty mode exhilarating. It ramps up enemy aggression and challenge level, turning seemingly easy foes into formidable opponents if players underestimate the combat abilities of their adversaries.

6. Cyberpunk 2077

After A Point, Very Hard Is The Only Way Make Combat Challenging

Similar to The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077 exhibits a reversed challenge level that may seem perplexing. Typically, gamers might find themselves struggling during initial skirmishes, but later on, they can easily overpower their opponents in the middle and late stages of the game.

As an avid gamer, I find it thrilling to crank up the challenge by choosing “Very Hard” mode, knowing that it will keep me on my toes and make every encounter with enemies more engaging for V. Although Update 2.0 has indeed made combat more intricate than before, there’s a risk that players might find themselves effortlessly overpowering their foes if they stick to lower difficulty settings.

5. Fallout: New Vegas

The Mojave Is Tense To Explore In Hardcore Mode

It’s clear that the game New Vegas follows many aspects of the Bethesda formula, but this can lead to a dullness in the gameplay over time. The early stages of the game are notoriously challenging, which is what makes later encounters less exciting due to their relative ease.

As a gamer diving into the world of New Vegas, I’ve found that Hardcore mode offers a breath of fresh air, transforming my gameplay experience altogether. In this mode, I have to keep an eye on my character’s hydration, energy levels, and food intake. I also need to be careful with my companions’ wellbeing, ensuring they survive the harsh wasteland. Plus, the ammunition is limited and heavy, so every bullet counts. All these factors come together to create a unique, immersive experience that makes New Vegas feel like a whole new game.

4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Use Every Trick In The Witcher Playbook

The Witcher 3 has a dedicated following, but some critics argue that the combat can feel routine at times. However, those players may not have tested the game on a harder setting, as they were able to handle most battles using basic melee attacks and occasional use of their Sign abilities.

On the Blood and Broken Bones or Death March levels, players need to carefully consider each action they take, both prior to and during combat. It’s essential for players to apply oils and drink potions before engaging bosses, as these enemies can defeat Geralt in mere seconds if he hasn’t properly prepared himself.

3. Valheim

Ramp Up The Sliders To Make The Survival Experience More Tense

Valheim currently stands out among early access survival games for its potential to create a significant impact in the gaming industry upon its 1.0 release. Players are eagerly anticipating this game due to its fresh approach to survival mechanics, where even eating food becomes an intriguing dilemma that requires careful consideration by players.

Skilled gamers may enjoy playing Valheim on easier settings as they get acclimated to the game mechanics. As players become more proficient, they might choose to test themselves with increased difficulty levels. The most seasoned players often prefer tackling this game at its highest difficulty level, appreciating the high-stakes experience where a single death can wipe out all their accumulated progress.

2. Ghost Of Tsushima

Lethal Difficulty Makes Every Combat Encounter Tense And Satisfying

In Ghost of Tsushima, the challenge levels offer an intriguing twist. While you can opt for the challenging “Hard” mode where adversaries become tougher and Jin becomes more vulnerable, there’s also a different mode that reverses the usual gameplay dynamics.

In Lethal mode, the damage system is incredibly lifelike, causing both adversaries and Jin to perish swiftly. This results in fast-paced battles as players strive to dodge harm at every turn, with boss fights being the rare instances where enemies can endure multiple hits before succumbing.

1. The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Master Mode Makes The Game Difficult In Meaningful Ways

One great feature in “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is Master Mode. It’s a fantastic option for players looking for an extra challenge. From the start, enemies are stronger than normal, and you might be surprised to find a powerful Lynel relaxing on the Great Plateau!

Experiencing just a glimpse of how Breath of the Wild tackles its difficulty levels is truly inspiring. It introduces fresh Golden Enemies into the game, as well as floating Octoroks that maintain platforms filled with valuable treasure chests aloft. This forces players to show their skills and perseverance in order to obtain the loot. It’s a brilliant demonstration of how to manage increased difficulty in video games, and it will certainly reignite players’ affection for Breath of the Wild.

2025-05-18 03:05