Role-playing games, usually referred to asRPGs, are among some of the most satisfying video games to play. Their complex progression systems and intricate storylines make for an unforgettable experience that can’t be found elsewhere. That complexity can also mean difficulty. Whether the game burdens players with hundreds of systems or was tuned for masochists, these brutal RPGs can offer some of the best and worst of the genre.
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Satisfying battles and plenty of deaths are a core part of these games and should be experienced by every RPG fan for the unique experience, no matter how brutal or cumbersome. After all, there’s no telling whether fans actually like the difficult nature of these games, but it definitely makes victory taste even smoother once players finally manage to beat these tough foes! Of course, it’s the struggle involved in getting past certain tough challenges that can make these experiences rather daunting to get into.
Updated on July 29, 2025, by Ritwik Mitra:RPGs have become one of the most popular genres around, to the point where most mainstream titles are integrating RPG-lite systems to allow for a more palpable and satisfying sense of progression. For the most part, most RPGs are approachable enough for players to have a great time powering through these titles while enjoying a great story and interacting with some fun characters. However, there are times when thesehardest RPGsend up being so difficult that players need to either use certain exploits or make sure that their tactical approach in battle is as perfect as they come if they wish to secure the chances of victory.
21Baldur’s Gate 3
The release ofBaldur’s Gate 3has been nothing short of a major phenomenon, with most players finding it hard to believe that a CRPG somehow managed to become one of the biggest releases of 2023. Larian Studios has clearly set the benchmark for what role-playing games should strive to achieve, with the immense amount of content in this game being truly mind-blowing.
Baldur’s Gate 3is a game where players can invest thousands of hours and still not get to see all the content that Larian has packaged in this amazing game. The combat itself can be quite a challenge too, with certain enemiesabsolutely obliterating the partyif a player’s tactics aren’t foolproof and dynamic.
20Final Fantasy 4 (3D Remake)
Final Fantasy 4is one of the best games in the series, showing just how well the elements of this series' gameplay could tie in with a story that was as engaging as they come. Watching Cecil turn from a Dark Knight into a Paladin as he slowly acknowledged the error of his ways made for a great time, and players could experience this amazing story with a fresh coat of paint in the 3D remake that was released for the DS before making its way on Mobile and PC soon after.
However, while this visual upgrade was generally well-received by the masses, one thing that most players noticed was how hard the game had become! Bosses were extremely powerful and could completely wipe the player out if they weren’t prepared, and some people were forced to grind before climactic encounters if they were being beaten into the ground over and over again by their powerful attacks. It made for a welcome challenge, but some JRPG fans who prefer more casual experiences may be turned off by the difficulty of this title.
19Demon’s Souls
BeforeDark Soulsbecame a powerhouse for From Software, Miyazaki collaborated with the studio onDemon’s Souls. This PS3 exclusive was a blast to play through at the time, even if it didn’t enjoy the popularity it rightfully deserved at the time. Thankfully, the game’s faithful remake on PS5 allowed fans to experience this masterpiece with a fresh coat of paint and witness the birth of theSoulsgenre firsthand.
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There’s no denying thatDemon’s Soulsis one of the best video games that players can check out on Sony’s latest console, but this comes with a catch. The game is brutally hard, featuring many oppressive mechanics that may turn off many people from wanting to play through this game. However, if players decide to brave the early game, then they’ll slowly get accustomed to the title before powering through bosses in rapid fashion.
18Elden Ring
Although it’s tough to consider Sekiro as a traditional RPG, From Software’s latest release definitely fits the bill. Players enter the world ofElden Ringas their own creation and are free to explore the Lands Between in any way they see fit. Many would argue thatElden Ringisn’t nearly as difficult as some of the otherDark Soulsreleases, thanks to some introduced mechanics that make it a bit “easier” in spots, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still supremely challenging.
The lack of hand-holding at the start of the game, paired with the punishing combat, brutal bosses, and zero direction, makes this game a nightmare for those not familiar with the genre.Elden Ringdefinitely deserves to be considered one of thehardest RPGsproduced based on its sheer size and complexity alone.
17Monster Hunter World
TheSoulsgames aren’t the only titles that feature punishing combat against larger-than-life bosses. TheMonster Hunterseries has been entertaining players for years with its epic boss fights centered around imaginative, hulking beasts. In fact, the entire game is boss fights, with players traveling from location to location in an attempt to hunt large creatures to protect their lands and grow stronger. The only way to get better is to fight through these foes and some battles can feel like an absolute marathon.
Players can go a long time fighting against a monster only to be knocked out towards the end of its lifespan. This time commitment, paired with the tough-as-nails combat, and the reliance on tactics and patience when fighting certain monsters makes this game one of the toughest out there for some players.
16Dragon Age: Origins
TheDragon Ageseries looks much different nowadays than it did during its inception. The original release,Dragon Age: Origins, was a more traditional RPG that featured turn-based elements with the tactical camera mechanic, as well as “auto-combat” when players would engage with the enemy. It was all about keeping track of a party and exploiting the AI to gain an advantage through strategy. For some,Dragon Age: Originsisn’t an inherently difficult title, but it can be a downright nightmare for those who “make the wrong moves.”
Thanks to its open-world nature, and lack of hand-holding when it comes to exploration, it’s entirely possible for players to end up in an area where they shouldn’t be. Even worse, it’s possible for those players to become locked in certain instances until they defeat a particular boss or finish a required quest. Pair this with the need for correct party compositions and stat allocation, and it’s easy to see why some players may be overwhelmed.
15Nioh
2017’sNiohwas created by Japanese developer Team Ninja, who are best known for their work on theDead or AliveandNinja Gaidenfranchises. AlthoughNinja Gaidenmay seem like an obvious comparison forNioh,the gameplay is more akin to FromSoftware’sDark Souls.
Team Ninja is certainly no stranger to releasing challenging games, butNiohsees the developer reach levels of difficulty that are unparalleled to their previous work. A sequel, simply titledNioh 2, was released in 2020 and offers a similarly brutal experience.
14King’s Field
King’s Fieldwas released in 1994 and is the first of four entries into the series of the same name. The PlayStation 1 exclusive was developed by FromSoftware, who have since become one of gaming’s most revered developers with theircritically acclaimed Soulsborne titles.
As anyone who has played a FromSoftware game might expect,King’s Fieldis unapologetic with its punishing difficulty that forces players to fully understand and masterthe game’s combat mechanics. Although the visuals haven’t exactly aged like a fine wine,King’s Fieldis still worth fans of the FromSoftware formula checking out today, as the developers managed to do a lot with the studio’s limited budget at the time.
13The Last Remnant
The Last Remnantwas initially released on the Xbox 360 in 2008, before sporadically coming to PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. The game was developed by Square Enix, who became a juggernaut ofthe JRPG genrewith theirFinal FantasyandDragon Questseries.
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As one would expect from a Square Enix title, the game implements a turn-based battle system. The game’s combat is far tougher than the aforementionedFinal FantasyandDragon Questfranchises though, asThe Last Remnant’s encounters are some of the most challenging in JRPG history.
12Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
Before BioWare became synonymous with theMass Effectseries, they were known in the world of role-playing games for theirBaldur’s Gatefranchise. The franchise is one of the most beloved RPG series of all time, withBaldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amnbeing the most critically acclaimed exemplified by its eye-watering Metascore of 95.
Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn’s difficulty comes from the game’s demand that players opt for a tactical, strategic approach to combat. The combat becomes bearable once players get to grips with the different strategies available, but it can be a nightmare for people who are still trying to get to grips with the convoluted combat.
