In the age of remakes and remasters, several more niche JRPGs are finally getting renewed time in the spotlight. The Shin Megami Tensei series is more popular these days thanks to its connection to the Persona franchise. Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne received a re-release and many players are discovering that it is one of the hardest RPGs out there.
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It is not alone, however, since the ten RPGs below are just as hard and inaccessible. At least the re-release receives a new difficulty mode, but these other RPGs remain incredibly difficult even if they were eventually remastered. Challenge is often a part of their charm.
10 Fallout 1 & 2
When Fallout 3 and its sequels achieved mainstream success, many players were probably curious about the series' past. Upon playing the first two games from Interplay Entertainment, they were greeted by a brutal CRPG where it is not unheard of to restart a file because the character build is simply not sufficient. Veteran fans prefer it because of the focus on character decisions affecting the world and the intense turn-based combat.
9 Dark Souls
In an age where many games opt to hold players' hands, the Dark Souls series from developer FromSoftware has no sympathy for those who decide to play it. The series is brutally difficult right from the start and death is punishing. It might be unfair to some, but overcoming the intense challenge is the fun of the series. Keep trying different strategies and grind levels — anybody can beat Dark Souls with enough effort.
8 The Last Remnant
Xbox has never been popular in Japan, but there were several exclusive JRPGs on the Xbox 360, including The Last Remnant. It was in development for the PS3 as well before its cancellation. What makes The Last Remnant so hard is the unique progression system as grinding can actually be detrimental. The game mechanics are not always so easy to understand either. Anyone wishing to play the remaster might want to do so with a guide.
7 Earthbound
Mother is one of the most unique JRPG series out there. The games take place in modern settings and feature supernatural and science fiction themes.
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The most popular entry is Earthbound, mostly because it was the only one to release in the West in a timely manner. Combat in these games is hard, but simply finding out what to do in the story is a whole other challenge.
6 SaGa Frontier
SaGa Frontier is a particularly weird and ambitious game for a PS1 JRPG. Players pick between seven protagonists at the start and can travel almost anywhere in the world. This freedom creates a whole new level of challenge. Without linearity, knowing what to do or where to go becomes much harder. Unique to JRPGs at the time also is the way the story changes depending on who the player chooses to start the game with.
5 Phantasy Star 2
Phantasy Star 4 is considered one of the best 16-bit RPGs ever made because of its tight structure and intuitive design. The debut entry and its sequel are significantly less forgiving, however. Players will have to tackle dungeons several times before besting them and then the bosses are a whole separate challenge. The series is a must-play for anyone interested in older JRPGs, particularly for the science fictions setting.
4 Wasteland
Before Fallout there was Wasteland. The original game from 1988 is considered a classic, but newcomers will have a hard time cracking its exterior. The sequels are a little more accessible but still extremely difficult.
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While there are several difficulty options, even normal mode is hard if players don't carefully think out every action they take.. Even though there were decades between the first game and its sequel, the newer entries retain much of the debut's DNA.
3 Resonance Of Fate
This 2010 JRPG comes from developer tri-Ace, also famous for the Star Ocean franchise. Resonance of Fate's difficulty comes from a unique battle system. If one does not know the right tactic for defeating bosses, they will not have a chance at victory. Even if the first playthrough is doable, there are several new game plus modes for those who want an increased challenge. Even critics who reviewed the game complained about unforeseen difficulty spikes.
2 Wizardry
There are plenty of old RPGs that by today's standards are almost impenetrable. Modern gamers just aren't accustomed to the lack of convenience and cushion these games have.
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Despite this, games like Wizardy deserve respect for all they did for the genre. Even with this considered, Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna is notably hard. It was designed specifically to test fans' mettle. Puzzles are obtuse and combat has to be done perfectly or else players fail.
1 Final Fantasy XI
Final Fantasy XIV is currently the talk of the town when it comes to MMORPGs. There is a ton of content to explore within the series' second online multiplayer game. Anybody who wants something truly challenging and hard to access should check out Final Fantasy XI. It is an MMO from another time and lacks many modern conventions. Servers are still online and people still play, but don't expect it to be easy — Final Fantasy XI makes players work their rewards.
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