10 Toughest RPGs That Are Incredibly Rewarding

2. Elden Ring

FromSoftware’s latest assault on the gaming landscape, 2022’s Elden Ring boasts the writing skills of fantasy heavyweight George R. R. Martin (yes, the Game of Thrones guy) in a world teeming with myth, magic and absolute mayhem.

Taking on the role of ‘The Tarnished’, players explore The Lands Between, a world corrupted by the shards of the titular Elden Ring. Each shard is in the possession of a ruthless and terrifying demigod whose underlings impede the player with all the challenge you’d expect from such a developer. Unlike the usual solitary journey that this genre has made a name with, The Tarnished can enhance their combat options with a noble steed, and players the world over have been rejoicing at the inclusion of horseback combat, adding another avenue for arduous battle scenarios.

As well as the horses, which are kind of a big deal, Elden Ring’s extensive open world has also garnered its fair share of critical praise, with the sense of exploration being one of its highlights. Contrary to obvious signposting of some contemporaries, many players find the most rewarding aspect of the game to be the moments when they stumble upon side-quests or new areas whilst looking for something completely different. An adventure in the truest sense of the word.