# 10 Hardest Action RPGs Ranked > FromSoftware's Demon's Souls tops the hardest action RPG list with brutal difficulty. - Title: 10 Hardest Action RPGs Ranked · CBR | Shortify - Summary: FromSoftware's Demon's Souls tops the hardest action RPG list with brutal difficulty. Demon's Souls is the hardest action RPG due to its lack of checkpoints… - Keywords: demon souls, fromsoftware, action rpg, hard games, soulslike, rpg games, game difficulty, ps4 games, bloodborne, path of exile, nioh 2, vagrant story - Source: CBR — https://cbr.com/hardest-action-rpgs-of-all-time-list - Author: Marley Hughes - Published: 2026-11-03T04:45:11+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: demon souls, fromsoftware, action rpg, hard games, soulslike, rpg games, game difficulty, ps4 games, bloodborne, path of exile, nioh 2, vagrant story ## Demon's Souls: Hardest Action RPG Demon's Souls, in both its original 2009 release and 2:00 remake, sees the player character arriving in the darkened kingdom of Boletaria. > Demon's Souls, in both its original 2009 release and 2020 remake, sees the player character arriving in the darkened kingdom of Boletaria. Their task is to bring down the nefarious supernatural forces keeping the kingdom in its sordid state. They specifically need to try and neutralize the Old One, who is responsible for Boletaria's disposition. ## Bloodborne: Brutal PS4 Challenge Bloodborne is set in the city of Yharnam, which has largely been abandoned by the start of the game. > Bloodborne is set in the city of Yharnam, which has largely been abandoned by the start of the game. The main protagonist is a Hunter who sets out to scavenge the derelict city, where it turns out the remaining citizens have been turned into monsters. ## Path of Exile: Free-to-Play Hardship Path of Exile takes place in a particularly dark fantasy world inhabited by mortals with supernatural abilities.The main protagonist, dubbed the Exile, is one of these mortals. > Path of Exile takes place in a particularly dark fantasy world inhabited by mortals with supernatural abilities. The main protagonist, dubbed the Exile, is one of these mortals. They have to take on the corrupt Templars, of whom High Templars Dominus and Avarius have abused their powers for too long. ## Nioh 2: Stamina System Challenge Nioh 2 is set in a fantastical version of Japan's Sengoku period.Hidechiyo, the main protagonist, is half-human and half-yōkai.The latter quality allows him to shapeshift into anything he desires. > Nioh 2 is set in a fantastical version of Japan's Sengoku period. Hidechiyo, the main protagonist, is half-human and half-yōkai. The latter quality allows him to shapeshift into anything he desires. This will prove to come in handy as he protects his village from the warring factions of the Sengoku era. ## Vagrant Story: Risk System Vagrant Story takes place in Leá Monde in the kingdom of Valendia, which is presently under a civil war. > Vagrant Story takes place in Leá Monde in the kingdom of Valendia, which is presently under a civil war. The main protagonist, Ashley Riot, is in Leá Monde to investigate a connection between a dangerous cult and the local government. ## Lies of P: Deceptively Hard Lies of P is loosely based on the classic novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, albeit with the title character being a human-like robot rather than a human-like marionette. > Lies of P is loosely based on the classic novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, albeit with the title character being a human-like robot rather than a human-like marionette. As with the novel, P desires to become a real boy, and he'll fight tooth and nail for Geppetto, who doesn't seem thrilled at the prospect. ## Shadow Tower Abyss: Early FromSoftware Game Shadow Tower Abyss is a Japan-exclusive JRPG produced by FromSoftware. The game sees the return of the titular Shadow Tower, with the main player character having to navigate through its catacombs and fight against all… > Shadow Tower Abyss is a Japan-exclusive JRPG produced by FromSoftware. The game sees the return of the titular Shadow Tower, with the main player character having to navigate through its catacombs and fight against all sorts of creepy creatures that lurk within its confines. ## Ys: The Oath in Felghana: Hard Action RPG Ys: The Oath in Felghana is a remake of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys, which saw the main protagonist, Adol Christin, en route to Felghana with his old friend Dogi. > Ys: The Oath in Felghana is a remake of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys, which saw the main protagonist, Adol Christin, en route to Felghana with his old friend Dogi. However, the two are redirected to Redmont at the behest of a mysterious fortune-teller. ## Elden Ring: Beginner-Friendly Challenge Elden Ring is set in the Lands Between, which is ruled by a myriad of demigods. > Elden Ring is set in the Lands Between, which is ruled by a myriad of demigods. Their mother, Queen Marika, had shattered the titular ring a long time ago, causing her disappearance and resulting in her children fighting for each and every piece of the ring. ## Monster Hunter Freedom Unite: Precision Challenge Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is a handheld installment in the Monster Hunter series, as well as an expanded version of Monster Hunter Freedom 2. > Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is a handheld installment in the Monster Hunter series, as well as an expanded version of Monster Hunter Freedom 2. As with the latter, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite sees players and their parties taking on some of the most intimidating monsters out there. ## Demon's Souls: Hardest Action RPG Demon's Souls, in both its original 2009 release and 2020 remake, sees the player character arriving in the darkened kingdom of Boletaria. > Demon's Souls, in both its original 2009 release and 2020 remake, sees the player character arriving in the darkened kingdom of Boletaria. Their task is to bring down the nefarious supernatural forces keeping the kingdom in its sordid state. They specifically need to try and neutralize the Old One, who is responsible for Boletaria's disposition. ## Path of Exile: Free-to-Play Hardship Path of Exile takes place in a particularly dark fantasy world inhabited by mortals with supernatural abilities.The main protagonist, dubbed the Exile, is one of these mortals. > Path of Exile takes place in a particularly dark fantasy world inhabited by mortals with supernatural abilities. The main protagonist, dubbed the Exile, is one of these mortals. They have to take on the corrupt Templars, of whom High Templars Dominus and Avarius have abused their powers for too long. ## Nioh 2: Stamina System Challenge Nioh 2 is set in a fantastical version of Japan's Sengoku period.Hidechiyo, the main protagonist, is half-human and half-yōkai.The latter quality allows him to shapeshift into anything he desires. > Nioh 2 is set in a fantastical version of Japan's Sengoku period. Hidechiyo, the main protagonist, is half-human and half-yōkai. The latter quality allows him to shapeshift into anything he desires. This will prove to come in handy as he protects his village from the warring factions of the Sengoku era. ## Key takeaway Demon's Souls is the hardest action RPG due to its lack of checkpoints and increasing difficulty.