Open-world games aregenerally accessible experiences, especially in the AAA scene. However, there remain a wide variety of open-world games that challenge the player frequently, and sometimes immediately.
These titles feature dangerous environments, deadly enemies, and unforgiving gameplay loops that some may find frustrating. However, this difficulty allows these titles to offer rewarding and satisfying gameplay.
Elden Ringmay not be as immediately unforgiving as the pseudo-open-world environments of theDark Soulsgames, but it does provide ample challenge from the get-go. This is especially so in the game’s more condensed areas, where combat is more frequent and less avoidable.
For players who haven’t experienced a souls-like before,Elden Ringwill provide an even more immediate challenge. However, gaining an understanding of the game and its myriad enemies and bosses can be immensely rewarding.
STALKER: Shadow of Chernobylisan exploration-focusedshooter with an emphasis on hardcore survival. The game’s interconnected regions offer extremely hazardous open-world exploration, dense with wandering mobs and supernatural anomalies.
Exploring can be dangerous inSTALKER, but it’s also tremendously immersive. This is thanks to a living, breathing world populated by a variety of creatures and factions.The emergent gameplaythat comes from these wandering denizens results in a dynamic world that’s consistently engaging - but difficult - to explore.
Exploring the interconnected regions ofRain Worldcan be an overwhelming task. This is thanks to a deeply simulated ecosystem that dumps players rather close to the bottom of the food chain. To make matters worse, deadly rainfall provides a looming threat throughout.
In the game, players must secure both food and shelter, or risk getting caught out in the lethal rain. Starvation is also a real threat, as players will need food if they’re to hibernate safely. Simply surviving out in the open is no easy task, either. However, attempting to overcome these overwhelming odds is what makesRain Worldso rewarding to play.
Battle Brothersis a combat-focused open-world game with an emphasis on RPG character progression and resource management. Players must concern themselves with food, medicine, gold, even ammunition, as they explore a low-fantasy world rife with danger.Battle Brothersmotivates exploration by tasking players with maintaining their wealth through the completion of dangerous contracts.
Leading a group of gritty mercenaries, players must take careful consideration both in and out of battle, ensuring their soldiers are armed appropriately and with the right perks. Combat can be brutally unforgiving, but its complex systems are rewarding to learn. Furthermore, the RPG character progression offers a great deal of customization that allows for myriad strategies.
Gloomwoodis a stylish combination of immersive-simand survival-horror gameplay, topped with a dark and rich atmosphere and free-form exploration. Exploring this dark Victorian city is a tense and immersive experience thanks to a helping of eldritch horror and an emphasis on stealth gameplay.
Though aggressive confrontation isn’t always possible, and rarely efficient,Gloomwooddoes allow players to explore and approach obstacles in multiple ways. However, players are always limited by their resources, and mistakes can quickly be punished. Furthermore, in a nod to survival-horror classics, the game can only be saved at specific locations. This makesGloomwooddifficult at times, but working through its evocative environments is a consistently engaging and often rewarding experience.
Kenshiis an immediately inaccessible experience thanks toits truly hostile worldand complete lack of player direction. However, the hostile world encourages methodical play, the lack of direction champions player agency, and those who withstand the initial hurdles will find a rewarding loop beneath the surface.
The open-world environments ofKenshiare tremendously hazardous to traverse, but this also leads to a great deal of emergent gameplay; wandering mobs, interplay between factions.Kenshiprovides a world that lives and breathes by itself, regardless of the player’s presence, and for some, this will be enough to make its challenges worth facing.
The Long Darkis a hardcore survival experience that takes place in a harsh and hostile wilderness. The game’s stark andeerily quiet environmentsare brutally unforgiving, but provide a soothing beauty under the right circumstances.
Surviving the difficult conditions ofThe Long Darkcan be rewarding in a similar way to most survival games, but this title provides a uniquely relaxing experience. This is thanks in large part to the isolated nature of the world, the understated art style, and immersive sound design.
Fans of traditional roguelikes will more than likely get a kick out ofCaves Of Qud, with itsbrutally unforgiving gameplayand emphasis on tactics, resource management, and RPG progression. However, it also features accessibility options that remove permanent death and allow a broader demographic to enjoy the experience.
The world ofQudis a unique and interesting place, brought to life through evocative writing and a careful blend of procedural and hand-crafted content. The alien atmosphere, exotic nature, and distinctive world-building makeQuda consistently engaging place to explore, and its myriad dangers provide ample gameplay as players tread between landmarks.
