10 Hardest Open-World Games On Xbox

Summary

• Open-world games like
  Valheim
  and
  Far Cry 2
  offer vast areas with diverse gameplay and tough challenges perfect for skilled players.
• Valheim
  introduces unique survival elements, tough bosses, and a world full of deadly creatures that require smart gameplay to survive.
• Dragon’s Dogma
  and
  Outward
  provide challenging combat, dynamic environments, and unpredictable dangers that keep players alert and on their toes.

Open-world games like Valheim and Far Cry 2 allow players to roam vast areas, tackle diverse obstacles, and get lost in rich stories. Yet, only some of these titles suit those who want a laid-back time. On Xbox, specific titles catch the eye not just for their big worlds but also for their toughness, pushing players to show their abilities, stay calm, and think smart to move forward.

From non-stop enemies to tricky game rules, each title puts players through the paces and gives them a sense of achievement if they can beat them. Now, get ready to jump into worlds where those who don’t give up and have the chops can come out on top.

10 Valheim (Iron Gate Studio)

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC

Valheim has made a splash in the survival game scene. It boasts a unique look and proves more user-friendly than its genre peers. Plus, it’s just a blast to play, and players don’t need to stress about starving to death, which is a relief. Yet, while it eases up in some areas, Valheim can be downright harsh in others.

Threats lurk around every corner from the get-go; even a simple boar can knock a person out in a few swings. To survive, players must come prepared for any scrap. As players push forward, they’ll face some hard bosses, so getting a handle on the fighting system is key to staying alive. The world is full of deadly creatures, and dying can be tough on newcomers. It’s not the harshest survival game around, but it’s no cakewalk either.

9 Dying Light (Techland)

Platforms: Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC

Dying Light puts people in a zombie apocalypse in a dangerous world. The player’s main goal is to use parkour to get around hordes rather than kill them since they keep coming. One zombie might not pose much of a threat, but when facing several, including some more challenging types, players will soon find themselves in hot water.

The game presents dangers during the day, but night brings even more deadly challenges with the arrival of Volatiles — super-aggressive and tireless monsters. Trying to fight them up close won’t work, so people need to avoid them. They have limited vision, but if players get too close, they’ll keep coming, making any attempt to sneak past them a tense experience.

Things get tough when night falls in Harran, the city where the game happens. Most of it becomes almost dark, and finding their way through its often confusing streets can be tricky even with a flashlight that doesn’t set off the Volatiles. The day doesn’t mean players are safe, though. Boss monsters, bandits ready to jump them, and all sorts of other dangers are spread all over the city.

8 Far Cry 2 (Ubisoft Montreal)

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC

Far Cry 2 is distinct from the other games on the list as it does not have monsters, zombies, or survival mechanics. The game’s setting is an African territory in an unknown country. Players assume the role of a mercenary in search of an arms dealer known as the Jackal.

Far Cry 2 presents two main dangers: first, the protagonist can contract malaria, which, without proper medication, can incapacitate him. Second, enemy soldiers are persistent in their pursuit of eliminating the player.

One common criticism of the game is the endlessly respawning checkpoints, which constantly refill with enemies, even after clearing them out. Additionally, unless the player acquires their own weapons, the enemy guns are unreliable and tend to jam at critical moments, making combat more challenging.

7 Subnautica (Unknown Worlds Entertainment)

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4|5, PC

Subnautica is an open-world survival game where the real menace is the environment. The planet players are stranded on is one big ocean, so everything requires them to dive underwater. That means characters are basically always in danger of running out of air. While they can do things like increase their oxygen tanks or use vehicles that generate their own oxygen, there is always the threat of drowning.

But that’s not all. The abyss is home to creatures that defy imagination. While many surface beasts are indifferent to the player’s presence, the deeper they go, the more they’ll encounter animals that will leave them astonished. It’s not really a combat game, and while players do get a few offensive options, they’re not that great, so it’s usually better to just run and hide when some of these deep-sea horrors come after them.

6 Dragon’s Dogma (Capcom)

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Nintendo Switch

Dragon’s Dogma features a focus on battling massive monsters, along with standard human-sized beasts that can be stubborn. The open-world game is filled with various fantasy creatures, making it a dangerous place to navigate. The combat in the game is challenging, and although it’s possible to overcome the obstacles, merely traveling from one point to another can be quite a test.

Dragon’s Dogma is particularly challenging due to its dynamic and unpredictable night cycles, where the difficulty spikes significantly after sundown. During the night, visibility is reduced, and the frequency of enemy encounters increases, requiring players to be constantly alert and well-prepared. Additionally, the game’s weight and stamina systems add layers of complexity, as players must manage their inventory and physical condition to maintain effectiveness in combat and exploration.

5 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (GSC Game World)

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC

Among the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games released so far, people consider Call of Pripyat to be the best. One major reason for this is the open post-apocalyptic world they get to explore. While all the titles in this franchise are dangerous for various reasons, Call of Pripyat stands out for having the most harmful world.

The zone is filled with mutants and bandits, both of which can kill them in seconds if they are not careful. However, what makes this game particularly tough are the anomalies. These are hard to detect and navigate, and they can cause severe damage if they stumble into one. They are spread throughout the major locations in the game, and dealing with them is not advisable unless they are looking for valuable treasures despite the risks to their health and radiation exposure.

4 Outward (Nine Dots Studio)

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4|5, PC, Nintendo Switch

Outward is a unique RPG/survival game that never really gives a player an easy break. The protagonist owes the town some money, so they must go out and earn it. Leaving the starting village is not a big deal in most games, but here, players have to be ready before they step outside because this wilderness will mess them up.

It’s a dangerous world, with simple bandits and wolves that can easily ruin their day. Also, players don’t even respawn back in town or load a save file. Players get dragged back to a wolf cave or a bandit camp. So the game forces them to retrieve their stuff and sneak out, most likely in the middle of the night when it’s pitch black.

When players get out, they are most likely in a place they’ve never seen before, so now they are completely lost. It’s pretty easy to get stuck in a death spiral, especially at the start of the game, and players should pick their battles. Sometimes, when they get killed, they get lucky and are rescued by someone who leaves them somewhere close to where the character died and gives them a few items to help them out. But more likely, they will be assigned to work in a mine and engaged in labor against their will.

3 Metro Exodus (4A Games)

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4|5, PC

Metro Exodus takes players to the wastelands of post-apocalyptic Russia, offering a vast and varied open world. The game is brought to life with ultra-detailed visuals, and the level of care and polish also extends to the gameplay systems. Players encounter hostile elements such as soldiers and mutants that try to pin them down as they navigate the world with limited resources.

Surviving in the world of Metro Exodus is a brutal task. Players must often make strategic decisions about which routes to take and when to engage or avoid enemies. At the same time, the game’s dynamic weather and day-night cycles add another layer of difficulty.

During the day, visibility is higher, which means that enemies can spot players more quickly. However, nightfall presents different challenges. Visibility drops significantly, making it harder to navigate and detect threats. Additionally, certain enemies become more aggressive and numerous under the cover of darkness.

2 ARK: Survival Evolved (Studio Wildcard)

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS

In ARK: Survival Evolved, players are placed in a prehistoric world where humans and dinosaurs live together. They must hunt and defend themselves against these massive creatures using primitive weapons like bows and spears, although guns are also available.

In addition to hunting, players must manage resources such as food, water, and temperature, as death results in losing progress. Interaction with other players adds another layer of complexity to this intricate survival game, where they can choose to ally with or battle against others. Forming tribes and collaborating with other players can provide safety and resources, but betrayal and conflict are always threats.

1 Borderlands 2 (Gearbox Software)

Platforms: Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, PS Vita

Borderlands 2 isn’t a difficult game for most of its runtime, as the constant storm of loot, ammo, and health resources makes getting through enemy encounters a manageable challenge. However, once players finish the campaign and start to move toward the end-game raids, Borderlands 2 can become a pretty tough title.

The difficulty spike in these raids is partly due to the presence of bullet sponge bosses, a common criticism of looter shooters. These enemies require a significant amount of time and resources to defeat, testing players’ endurance and precision. Additionally, the raids often involve waves of tough enemies and complex mechanics that need precise teamwork and strategy.