Role-playing games are one of the most loved genres on a variety of gaming platforms. Players love being able to escape into different worlds or defeat ferocious creatures as they take part in some sort of epic adventure. Back on the PlayStation 4, players had found plenty of RPGs to get lost in while using the safety of a controller.
However, not all RPGs are created the same with many being deemed quite challenging by those that had experienced them on the PS4 console. Out of the countless RPGs that can be played on the platform these few are by far the hardest of them all.
10 Divinity: Original Sin 2
With the recent release of Baldur's Gate 3, players are reminded of past Larian Studio games such as Divinity: Original Sin 2. Many players fell in love with this turn-based RPG, but this didn't happen without its challenges.
Combat could be stressful in certain scenarios, especially during the first act where players were learning the controls. The AI opponents would never go easy on a player as each battle felt like a fight to the death for players. With so many classes to choose from, some arguably made the game more of a challenge for players and therefore a harder experience on the PS4.
9 Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Action role-playing games are another challenging RPG genre that players have been able to face on the past generation of Sony consoles. Similar to other Souls-like titles, players are left to take on horrid creatures and unrelenting bosses if they hope to fully complete Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty.
Any person who is unfamiliar with these deadly boss fights may struggle when attempting to make progress in Wo Long. With enough perseverance and dedication to learning a player is sure to eventually come out on top when experiencing this game on the PlayStation 4 console.
8 Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
Like many other titles that have simulated medieval times in the past, Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord carries a steep learning curve for anyone who wishes to experience warfare of the past. Players shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes in Mount & Blade 2, as even in 2023 those who are still enjoying the title on the PlayStation 4 are still fighting an uphill battle every time they attempt combat.
This isn't to say that Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord isn't an enjoyable experience as part of the enjoyment in this medieval RPG is becoming stronger through the grind of leveling up while advancing as a knight in dented armor.
7 Monster Hunter: World
Monster Hunter is a franchise developed by Capcom that has continued to interest players over the years. Back on the PlayStation one of the best Monster Hunter RPGs while also being the hardest was Monster Hunter: World. Players could take on countless monsters with a variety of weapons to learn, and some of these foes showed themselves to be quite the challenge for players.
Thankfully, players could take on these fan-favorite monsters with friends which arguably made taking them down a fraction easier. Although, players were still expected to grind for resources if they hoped to improve their chances with better armor and weaponry.
6 Darkest Dungeon
Combining roguelike mechanics in a gothic-style RPG makes Darkest Dungeon not only one of the nicest-looking RPGs with its interesting art style but also one of the hardest on the PlayStation 4. Players shouldn't get too attached to their adventures as they are likely to be killed over and over again when adventuring into the different dungeons of the RPG.
With difficult turn-based combat that is only made harder through the psychological aspects of the title, Darkest Dungeon is a perfect example of how stressful being a hero – or a sword-for-hire– is for both the adventurer and the player.
5 Remnant: From The Ashes
Some players are lulled into a false sense of security by the safety a firearm gives them in an RPG. However, games like Remnant: From the Ashes prove that even if a player is carrying around a rifle, players can still find themselves having a hard time in this role-playing game.
Besides being an action role-playing game, Remnant: From the Ashes is also considered a survival title, this only adds to the already challenging combat that sees players taking on abominations in this post-apocalyptic world. Staying alive and making sure every bullet count is vital to succeeding in this difficult RPG.
4 Bloodborne
Bloodborne is one of the most-loved FromSoftware Soulslike titles to be released strictly on the PlayStation 4. Since its original release in 2015 players have pleaded every year for either a second title or a remake, even if the game is quite a challenge for some.
Like Darkest Dungeon, Bloodborne is another game that has the player exploring a gothic setting that feels eerie to explore. Parrying is an even larger part of Bloodborne than any Dark Souls game and therefore being unable to hit back can make every boss a spectacle. Players should remember that dying learning experience in FromSoftware games.
3 Nioh
Nioh is another phenomenal action RPG that became a classic of the PlayStation 4 console. Since then it has received a second game though many players agree that the original RPG was by far the hardest of the two.
Players are forced to think strategically when taking on the various opponents in Nioh. From a regular foot soldier to a horrific boss, each enemy has a weakness the player should exploit if they hope to get the upper hand in combat. Until they can find this weakness, players should get well acquainted with the game over screen as they are defeated over and over again.
2 Dark Souls 3
Bloodborne isn't the only FromSoftware title on this list and Dark Souls 3 will also not be the last. With every new Dark Souls, the souls-like genre has simply gotten harder, and with Dark Souls 4 nowhere in sight players are left enjoying the torture of this RPG on PlayStation 4.
While veterans of the franchise may have an easier time than others, every player is likely to die a few times. Be it taking on the regular foes of these wonderful landscapes or the countless bosses players will need to face to progress the game. Perfecting the player's build is the only way to succeed.
1 Elden Ring
Unsurprisingly, one of the greatest games FromSoftware has ever created as well as being the largest RPG they have developed has to be Elden Ring. Even though the title won Game of the Year in 2022, this doesn't hide the fact that Elden Ring is still the hardest RPG for players to attempt on the PlayStation 4.
Once again like any souls-like title, players will be facing various different bosses that each have their own attack styles. It will be up to the player to learn how these bosses attack until they can find an opening and finally beat that opponent. With an even larger map to explore, players are also able to explore freely, though there shall always be an enemy there that's attempting to stop the fun.​