Turn-based RPGshave an extreme reliance on players using their heads to help a group of characters to survive different situations. Although these arecommonly war games, there have been other settings available for players to strategize around.
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However, not all turn-based RPGs are made equal, as some can be incredibly challenging and therefore threaten the lives of the characters the player has to control. These games are well known for their difficulty, making them some of thehardest turn-based RPGsto complete, though it is still possible to make it to the end. Players need to carefully consider their moves to get the best result in these games.
Updated June 14, 2025, by Megan Smith:While players have been challenging themselves on the early access of Baldur’s Gate 3. The turn-based RPG by Larion Studios finally announced that it will be fully releasing August 2023 where the game will progress and become harder or even less of a challenge due to updated balancing.
However, this isn’t the only RPG that has graced fans of the turn-based genre as early 2023 also saw players finally sinking their hands into the next Fire Emblem title of the franchise,Fire Emblem Engage. With three difficulty settings to choose from as well as the option to making losing units permanent players are able to control how difficult the game is. In between playing this at the start of the year and Baldur’s Gate 3 near the end there are older and more challenging titles for players to try that really define aturn-based RPG.
13Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne Is Deemed The Hardest Turn-Based RPG
Japanese role-playing games are already known for their difficulty especially with many of them using turn-based combat that relies on the player either getting lucky or grinding levels to be more powerful than their opponent.Shin Megami Tenseiis a turn-based RPG that takes this even further, and it only got harder the more games that were produced.
Those that are new to theShin Megami Tenseifranchise may wish to skip this title or at least familiarize themselves with the combat. Every fight relies on the player understanding how buffs work to get the upper hand in combat, not understanding how these work will ge the player killed repeatedly.
12Old Games Don’t Hold The Player’s Hand Like The 7th Saga
The 7th Sagais another turn-based RPG that is infamously known for being an unforgiving challenge to the players that tried their hands with it on the Super Nintendo. The game itself in Japanese was already a challenge for players however the localized version that others got to try internally actually made the game harder.
While the opponents were able to keep their usual stats, when a player leveled up their characters they received less of an upgrade to their own stats. This meant that going into battles, the player was weakened while the rival remained the same. Therefore, many players would resist grinding levels to avoid overpowered opponents.
11Formations Are Crucial In The Last Remnant
The combat system that was added toThe Last Remnantwas quite the controversial topic between players of the game. Some found it to be quite repetitive while others really enjoyed this unique new take to combat that had been described as turn-based, command based combat system.
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Compared to other Square Enix titles such asFinal FantasyandDragon Questwhich were both highly successful JRPGs and have been known to define the genre. The Last Remnant takes that format and turns it into a challenge for players as the encounters are not only difficult but experimenting with what units go well together and the formation to use can take some practice.
10Play Classically In Fire Emblem: Fates – Conquest
This fantasy RPG is well-known for its turn-based combat. Players can make thegames more challengingfor themselves by selecting classic mode which makes every unit death permanent. There is also a variety of difficulties to pick from on top of that which can cause enemies to hit even harder. However, in regard toFire Emblem Fates, players can select between three versions to try.
Birthrightis arguably the easiest, whileConquestleaves more of a challenge for players. Those that are used toFire Emblemgames are recommended to playConquestdue to the difficulty of many of the missions, which may cause a player to retry a level more than once.
9Battle Brothers Embarks In Intense Medieval Combat
Battle Brothersis a medieval-themed strategy game where the player is in control of a mercenary band through a world that can only be described as gritty. Players are free to decide who to hire, what jobs to take, and how to train their units which to a beginner player can become very confusing and jeopardizes the power of their team.
The game is made ten times harder as the difficulty of every encounter isscaled to the player; this, therefore, means that contracts never get easy, especially those that have a three-skull rating, which will need players to prepare to the max if they hope to make it through them with the least amount of men killed.
8Players Will Need To Stay Confident In Bravely Default
WhileBravely Default 2was made to be more approachable to new players, those that experienced the first game will recall the brutality of many enemies that they had faced. Many mechanics in the game may be unfamiliar to players, and therefore practice is needed before these missions will be mastered.
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Although the game has three difficulty settings, even Normal can be a challenge to those that are experiencingBravely Defaultfor the first time, and therefore many experts of the game would recommend grinding experience to level up jobs.
7XCOM: Enemy Unknown Makes Every Risk Deadly
The turn-based RPGXCOMis known for its challenging combat that forces players to risk their soldiers against enemies, with the danger of an ambush always being nearby. One of the most difficult games in the series isXCOM: Enemy Unknown. Even if a player completes the game on normal, boosting their next playthrough to classic comes with itsown intense learning curve, which can be a struggle to overcome.
One of the most difficult mechanics to manage in the game, no matter the difficulty, is a country’s panic level. Deploying satellites can reduce this panic; though, keeping on top of this can become stressful fast if a lot of bad things happen at once. Besides these mechanics trying to keep soldiers alive can come with its own difficulties especially when a player may be forced to take risks.
6Blindly Stumble In Darkest Dungeon
Another gritty and grimy game that many players have enjoyed but found challenging isDarkest Dungeon. Players that are looking for a challenge need to look no further than this roguelike turn-based RPG that relies on players to adventure through dungeons with a band of characters searching for treasure and completing quests.
The enemies are not the only challenge, as each character has its own flaws that need to be balanced. There are other mechanics players must pay attention to, such as keeping their torch lit and the panic of the party down.
5Divinity: Original Sin 2 Requires Careful Planning As Well As Power
Although a critically acclaimed title that many have enjoyed, this doesn’t reduce the difficulty many players have had while enjoyingDivinity: Original Sin 2. This vast world that is being taken over by the void is free for the player to explore; however, adventuring can see players finding more danger than they bargained for.
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It is important that mechanics, such as howthe environmentcan be affected by spells, is learned, as this can make battles easier. Though, players are always at a risk of being defeated and therefore should have revival scrolls at the ready for any such dangers.
4Leveling Is Essential To Succeed In Baldur’s Gate 3
Made by the creators ofDivinity: Original Sin 2,Baldur’s Gate 3also has its own challenging turn-based combat that tests the skills and strategy of a player as they approach groups of enemies or terrifying bosses.
Leveling becomes incredibly essential when avoiding the danger of many foes, though even still, these enemies can be a hazard to face. There are also the risks of traps to avoid, as these can be just as deadly as the enemies faced during the turn-based combat, though certain group synergies can make the game more enjoyable.
