Developer id Software is back to making sequels significantly more difficult than their predecessors. The rebootDOOM (2016)was likely meant to draw players back to the franchise, while the sequel tests players' skill. While aseries likeDark Soulsis becoming progressively easier,DOOMhas done the opposite. With difficulty levels called “Hurt Me Plenty” and “Ultra-Nightmare,“DOOM Eternalis not meant for the faint of heart.
The following games are brutally more difficult thanDOOM Eternal.It’s not a question of if, but when players will die. They may as well quit while they’re ahead. Some first-person shooter games harder thanDOOM Eternaldeserve this reputation for all the right reasons.
Updated by Ritwik Mitra on July 24, 2025:DOOM Eternalmay not have hit the ground running the same way as its prequel did, but it was ultimately successful in making the franchise relevant again. Ripping and tearing through demons while listening to a metal soundtrack never ceases to be fascinating, and it’s easy to see why so many players were captivated by the impressive gameplay ofDOOM Eternal.Players who want to check out games that are tougher than this demon-slaying title will be surprised to know that quite a few FPS titles fit the bill.
Apex Legendsis the culmination of a lot of hard work for Respawn. The studio’s work onTitanfall 2was impressive but ultimately forgotten, in no small part because of the previous game’s poor reception. It’s a shame, since people who gave this game a shot loved the emotional single-player campaign and its amazing gameplay.
So, instead of trying to developTitanfall 3, Respawn decided to integrate the same gameplay advancements in a battle royale that would play to their strengths. The end result is a tough and rewarding experience with a huge player base and regular updates, making it clear whyApex Legendsis beloved by the masses.
The idea of combining the tactical gameplay of titles likeCounter-Strikewith the modern advancements in the hero shooter genre was a massive success forValorant. The game was a huge hit upon release, and continues to wow fans to this day.
Players should expect a steep learning curve and their fair share of abuse from seasoned teammates while playing this game. It’s a daunting scene to get into, but FPS veterans who don’t mind a bit of challenge will find this game to be right up their alley.
Unlike other FPS games that let players enjoy a power fantasy,Escape from Tarkovwill make players feel like dirt if they try to become a one-man army. Teamwork is essential to winning raids, letting players finally come to grips with how this game functions.
It’s normal for players to die over and over again before they finally get the hang of things. Winning rounds inEscape from Tarkovand schooling the opposition makes for a great time that fans can’t get enough of.
The fact thatSystem Shock 2even has a difficulty setting labeled “Impossible” should be enough of an explanation as to whyElectronic Arts' titleearns a spot on this list.
With a Metascore of 92, System Shock 2is one of the most critically acclaimed first-person shooters of all time. The game is reminiscent ofBioShock, which was also developed by Irrational Games (2K Boston), due to the game’s eery atmosphere, sense of being stranded, and innovative combat mechanics that would influence the gaming industry for years to come.
Understandably considered to be the most successfulDOOM-clone of all time,Duke Nukem 3Dwas released in 1996 by the team of 3D Realms and FromGen to critical acclaim, predominantly due to its destructible environments that were unique for the time.
Duke Nukem 3Ddidn’t hide itsDOOMinfluences and tried to one-up id Software’s original two titles with its Damn, I’m Good difficulty level that caused enemies to respawn much likeDOOM’s Nightmare setting.
The first entry in theS.T.A.L.K.E.R.series,S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobylwas released in 2007 to a positive critical reception, exemplified by its82 Metascore. The game was praised for its realistic post-apocalyptic survival gameplay and RPG mechanics that players need to pay close attention to if they want to survive Master difficulty.
A sequel, titledS.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2,is confirmed to be in development. Very little has been heard about the upcoming game, other than the news that it will be coming to Game Pass for the Xbox Series X|S on day one of its release.
12Operation Flashpoint: Red River (Hardcore Difficulty)
A Single Bullet Can Be Deadly
Operation Flashpoint: Red Riverwas released in 2011 by Codemasters, and is still one of the most realistic Tactical Shooters on the market today. The game didn’t perform particularly well with critics, exemplified by itsPC Metascore of 67, though it did offer a uniquely intense co-op experience.
Operation Flashpoint: Red River’s difficulty comes from enemies being able to kill players with just one bullet; this may seem extreme even for hardcore mode, but believe it or not, this is the case with normal difficulty too. Hardcore mode still manages to find a way to ramp up the challenge even further, by removing the player’s HUD.
11Arma 2 (Expert Difficulty)
A Military Sim That Is As Brutal As One Could Expect
From one Tactical Shooter to another,Arma 2was released in 2009 by Bohemia Interactive and is a successor toOperation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis,which is now known asArmA: Cold War Assault.Similar to theOperation Flashpointseries, running and gunning simply isn’t an option, as players must opt for careful, methodical squad tactics if they want to survive.
Much like the aforementionedOperation Flashpoint: Red River,playing on the hardest difficulty removes some ofArmA II’s key features, such as thehandy third-person mode.
Metro 2033seems to be more difficult than its successor,Metro: Last Light. There aren’t very many people who would recommend diving into the hardest difficulty right away.
If players purchase the DLC, they can unlock two more difficulty modes that are even more demanding. The three standard difficulty modes should be enough for them toquestion their gaming skill.However, players will have to be hard as nails to get throughMetro 2033on Hardcore difficulty.
Not only is it difficult to defend against tumultuous enemies with an array of weapons, but players must also achieve a list of objectives to beat any given level. This list of mission objectives grows with each difficulty increase. Finally, there’s 00 Agent, the hardest difficulty inGoldenEye 007(aside from the 007 customizable difficulty).
Most players probably resorted to using cheat codes to progress. Even on Agent difficulty, many players will findlevels like Frigate, Complex, Jungle, and Cavernsan arduous experience.
