The Ultimate Ranking of the Most Challenging Xbox RPGs You Must Play!

Microsoft’s range of Xbox consoles continues to hold its own against Sony’s PlayStation family, as numerous recent Xbox titles have proved to be on par with the current PS5 release. For Xbox console enthusiasts seeking a fresh gaming experience, delving into some of the most challenging RPGs available on the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S might be just the thing.

Depending on the game they choose, Xbox players may find themselves constantly reaching for the load or reset button due to the difficulty level of certain RPGs on the console. However, devoted Xbox fans who are up for the challenge may discover that these games offer a much-needed departure from their usual Xbox gaming routine. While these titles can be found on other platforms as well, they run exceptionally well on the Xbox Series X.

10 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Platform(s) PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, SwitchReleased May 19, 2015Developer(s) CD Projekt RedGenre(s) RPG, Action, Adventure

Continuing Geralt's adventures on the Continent, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt follows our titular Witcher as he protects his adopted daughter Ciri from the dangerous Wild Hunt. As a Witcher, players control Geralt and utilize two swords, potions, bombs, and basic spells to eliminate threats.

However, the true challenge lies in underestimating enemies during combat. Despite following specific patterns, these foes can easily overpower Geralt due to their sheer numbers. Additionally, not all of Geralt's combos are effective against every enemy, requiring players to adapt their playstyles and strategize accordingly.

9 Dragon Age: Origins

Dragon Age Origins

Platform(s) PS3, Xbox 360, PCReleased November 3, 2009Developer(s) BioWareGenre(s) RPG See at Xbox Games Store See at Amazon

Dragon Age: Origins, despite its age, serves as a worthy alternative to classic tactical RPGs like Baldur's Gate. Set in the dark fantasy world of Thedas, the game requires players to become Grey Wardens, protectors of the realm who must defeat a Darkspawn invasion. What sets Dragon Age apart from other RPGs is its versatile gameplay system, allowing players to choose between real-time combat and a tactical mode that can be paused at any moment.

The ability to pause the game during a fight proves to be a valuable asset, considering the difficulty spikes that can occur in Origins. Despite its great flexibility, the game's sprawling open environments and non-linear progression can present players with challenging battles, requiring careful and unconventional thinking from the party.

8 The Surge

Warren, a wheelchair-bound individual, undergoes a faulty exoskeleton implantation surgery that thrusts him into the dystopian world of The Surge. In this chaotic setting, he must battle against corrupt robots, mutated humans, and various other threats. While the storyline may conform to certain sci-fi stereotypes, The Surge stands out due to its uniquely challenging combat system inspired by the Souls series.

Unlike its predecessor, combat in The Surge proves to be more laborious, as the absence of canceling abilities and the presence of telegraphed attacks demand players' undivided attention. Furthermore, the inclusion of a visceral dismemberment feature directly influences gameplay. Since severed body parts can be utilized for upgrades, players must cautiously consider their chosen strategy when facing adversaries with valuable limbs.

7 The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Platform(s) PC, Xbox (Original)Released May 1, 2002Developer(s) Bethesda Game StudiosGenre(s) RPG See at Amazon

The setting and premise of The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind offer a unique and quirky experience, setting it apart from other fantasy games in the series. Players assume the role of a pardoned prisoner starting a new life on the island of Vvardenfell in Morrowind. Their involvement with the Tribunal, a group of powerful living gods, will ultimately decide the fate of the region.

Morrowind stands out in Bethesda's lineup as the first game to feature a fully open world. However, it also poses challenges in terms of combat and gameplay. The direction-based first-person shooter attacks can lead to frustrating encounters, and the absence of quest markers and a complex transportation system can greatly extend exploration. Nevertheless, for players seeking a game that doesn't hold their hand, Morrowind will definitely satisfy that desire.

6 Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon

Platform(s) PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOSReleased January 19, 2016Developer(s) Red Hook StudiosGenre(s) RPG

Darkest Dungeon is one of the most difficult Xbox One titles for the Xbox Series X/S that can be played without compatibility issues. It is a roguelike RPG where players are required to venture into dungeons beneath their newly inherited mansion. These dungeons are generated in a random manner, and a permadeath system adds to the game's difficulty.

The challenge in Darkest Dungeon lies in its unforgiving nature. Characters in the game can suffer from various afflictions due to the stressful events they encounter during their journey, which directly affects their performance. Additionally, the game's emphasis on managing units makes it particularly difficult for players who are not adequately prepared for the challenges that await them in the dungeons.

5 XCOM 2: War Of The Chosen

After the aliens colonized Earth in the reboot of XCOM: Enemy Unknown in 2012, XCOM 2: War of the Chosen takes the storyline further by turning XCOM into an underground resistance force. Serving as an expansion to XCOM 2, War of the Chosen significantly enhances gameplay through the implementation of time-based objectives and procedural maps. Additionally, it introduces a new element called the Chosen, which consists of persistent elite enemies. Familiar to the XCOM series, players are still required to effectively manage their squad of elite troopers, customizing their load-outs, skills, and conducting research to develop innovative strategies against the alien threat.

However, the difficulty level rises dramatically in War of the Chosen during active combat. The game introduces advanced cover mechanics, high ground advantages, and a new system called concealment, all of which can greatly impact the outcome of a single turn. Furthermore, players typically find themselves outnumbered, leading them to make careful and deliberate decisions. Even the slightest mistakes can result in relentless enemy assaults, adding an element of punishment to the gameplay.

4 Elden Ring

Elden Ring

$40 $60 Save $20Platform(s) PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PCReleased February 25, 2022Developer(s) From SoftwareGenre(s) RPG, Action $40 at Amazon

FromSoftware's recent venture into the Souls-like genre is Elden Ring, a game where players assume the role of the Tarnished and are entrusted with the task of restoring order by repairing the legendary Elden Ring. In contrast to most Souls games that feature "open" worlds divided into separate sections, Elden Ring presents players with a vast and explorable open world. The game introduces various new elements, such as a mount named Torrent and the ability to utilize special attacks called Ashes.

As a Souls-like game, Elden Ring challenges players with its demanding difficulty that necessitates memorizing enemy attack patterns and executing flawless defensive maneuvers. Furthermore, due to the game's highly open nature, players may unintentionally overlook crucial items in early areas, and even in the tutorial section. The expansive open world also poses the risk of encountering wandering enemies, thereby urging players to exercise extra caution.

3 Dark Souls 2

Dark Souls 2

Platform(s) PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Xbox OneReleased March 11, 2014Developer(s) From SoftwareGenre(s) Action RPG

Despite its age, Dark Souls 2 serves as a suitable entry point into the Souls series. While players are given opportunities to adjust the game's difficulty through in-game mechanics, the title also provides valuable items early on. These adjustments make Dark Souls 2 more accommodating for beginners compared to other Souls games.

However, it is important to note that these advantages do not mean the game is any less challenging. In addition to facing a formidable tutorial boss, players are penalized for dying by losing a portion of their maximum health. Furthermore, the game's combat, which heavily relies on precise movement and timing, becomes more difficult due to clunkier controls and stronger enemies throughout the stages.

2 Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PCReleased February 13, 2018Developer(s) Warhorse StudiosGenre(s) RPG

Gameplay in Kingdom Come: Deliverance emphasizes realism rather than intense combat, illustrating the challenges faced by the protagonist, Henry, who is portrayed as a humble blacksmith's son seeking revenge. The game strives to create an authentic experience of 15th-century Bohemia, offering a comprehensive armor system, gear management, skill challenges, and even incorporating a sleep/hunger system.

Although the game's life simulation aspect already poses challenges to players, combat in Kingdom Come: Deliverance is particularly unforgiving. Henry is initially inept when it comes to wielding a weapon and must actively practice to acquire new techniques. Battles heavily rely on precise positioning and well-timed attacks, with the force and weight of each strike playing a pivotal role in skirmishes.

1 Outward: Definitive Edition

Outward

Platform(s) PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased March 26, 2019Developer Nine DotsGenre(s) RPG

Players looking for a fantastical twist on survival will appreciate Outward: Definitive Edition. In this game, players start as survivors of a shipwreck and must immediately choose between paying off an enormous debt or losing their family's belongings. This unjust situation is just the beginning of the challenging gameplay of Outward, where players must carefully consider their actions due to the game's autosave system that overwrites saves upon death.

One of the standout features of Outward is its exceptional difficulty, particularly when it comes to survival. Even finding basic equipment can prove to be a complex task, as common enemies can prove deadly if approached incorrectly. Additionally, acquiring magic, though possible, is extremely challenging.