Hardest Third-Person Shooters On The PlayStation 5, Ranked

Key Takeaways

• Only select games offer a unique challenge on the PS5, blending intense combat with unforgiving mechanics.
• Hitman 3 introduces smarter AI for challenging gunfights, encouraging players to adapt and think strategically.
• Dead Space (2023) brings updated horror elements, emphasizing player choices and intense combat scenarios for a terrifying experience.

Few experiences in gaming are as exciting as conquering a challenging third-person shooter. On the PlayStation 5, players are presented with a variety of titles that push their skills to the limit. Each game on this list stands out for its unique approach to difficulty, whether through relentless enemy waves, punishing mechanics, or complex combat systems.

The only other criterion is that the game must have a native PS5 port. For those seeking to overcome some of the toughest challenges the genre has to offer, these are the games that promise to deliver an intense and rewarding experience.

Updated on November 28, 2024, by Mehrdad Khayyat: When talking about difficult third-person games, probably the Dark Souls franchise or Elden Ring are the first games that come to mind, and while they are indeed difficult, they never scratch the itch for a shooter lover.

Although the amount of challenging third-person shooters might not be as much as their melee counterparts, there are still more than a few games that could deliver challenges at the same level as Dark Souls, but enchanted with ranged combat rather than getting up close.

10 Hitman 3

A Chaotic Stealth Shooter With Aggressive AI Enemies

The Hitman series is known for its stealth approach to combat, but the introduction of World of Assassination changed this premise significantly. The modern trilogy of Hitman tries to be a sandbox game rather than forcing players to take a stealth approach.

Of course, it is quite joyful to have a plan in mind and to execute it step by step and eventually flee from the location without drawing any attention, but few plans can be executed flawlessly, and sometimes the player has to engage in a gunfight. And even sometimes those plans themselves require a gunfight. Most of the time, the player has a very brief opportunity to take down his target, and they really need to be accurate with their single shot, missing which could ruin the entire plan. And that’s why Hitman is unforgiving.

Hitman 3, however, takes it to another level with smarter and aggressive AI. Some players just love to go in guns blazing, and while it is possible, it will be quite difficult. As the ammo is scarce, the enemies will push the player, or even use explosives to force Agent 47 to leave his cover. All of this makes gunfights quite challenging in the game, especially when the entire map is alerted and a swarm of enemies surrounds the player.

9 Dead Space (2023)

Survive The Terror Of The USG Ishimura With Unforgiving Horror Elements

The Dead Space (2023) remake revives one of the best survival horror classics with updated graphics and enhanced gameplay mechanics. Players will once again navigate the terrifying corridors of the USG Ishimura and fight off unyielding necromorphs.

The game’s difficulty stems not only from the improved enemy AI and their increased damage output but also from the environment itself. The flickering lights, the eerie sounds, and the new Intensity Director feature make every encounter tense and nerve-wracking.

Player choices also significantly influence the challenges they face. Deciding between oxygen or lights can drastically alter one’s experience. Opting to cut off oxygen adds the pressure of a dwindling air supply alongside the threat of necromorphs, while turning off the lights makes it nearly impossible to see the enemies — after all, you can’t shoot what you can’t see. However, the game can be a bit too liberal with ammo drops, even on the hardest difficulty, keeping it in the number seven spot.

8 The Division 2

Taking The Homeland Back From Hostile Gangs

The Division 2 continues the path that was introduced by its predecessor in a much better way by providing a whole lot of activities and adding more depth to the gameplay. The Division 2 focuses on PvE gameplay most of the time, and it comes with creative ideas about leveling up and facing against die-hard bosses.

The game does come with a great cover system similar to the original entry to the franchise, and it encourages players to get their guns updated and pick the best loadout for every encounter before the unforgiving boss fights make them regret their laziness.

Aside from PvE, The Division 2 also comes with PvP zones where the agents not only have to keep an eye out for hostile gangs but also make calculated moves before another agent finishes them off.

7 Control

Harness Telekinetic Powers While Overcoming Sudden Difficulty Spikes

Control is known for its challenging gameplay, which blends third-person shooting with a range of intense telekinetic abilities. Players navigate the mysterious Federal Bureau of Control, facing off against powerful enemies in a constantly shifting environment.

The game’s difficulty lies in mastering a wide array of powers and effectively using them in combat. Finding and hurling objects at bosses (or tearing chunks of stone from the nearby wall) is essential for defeating them and progressing through the game. Control is also notorious for its sudden difficulty spikes, which can sometimes stall player progress, even if that wasn’t always the developer’s intention.

6 Helldivers 2

Coordinate With Teammates In A Co-op Shooter Against Aliens & Robots

Helldivers 2 offers a cooperative experience that demands teamwork and strategic planning. That alone makes it one of the more difficult games on this list. Players must rely not only on their own skills but also on those of their comrades. And of course, when things go wrong, it’s always the teammates’ fault.

Players must defend their “managed democracy” by coordinating their efforts to survive overwhelming waves of Automatons and Terminids. The game’s brutal difficulty comes from its continuous enemy hordes and the need to accomplish demanding objectives.

With friendly fire always on, players must be careful to avoid hitting their teammates, even under intense pressure. Fellow Helldivers might not be too forgiving if an airstrike is called on their position just to take out a few bugs, but sometimes, that’s a sacrifice a leader must be willing to make.

5 Resident Evil 4 Remake

Face Revamped Combat & Punishing Boss Battles With New Twists

Resident Evil 4 Remake not only preserves the intense survival horror elements of the original but also introduces new layers of difficulty that push even seasoned players to their limits.

One of the most notable changes in the remake is the removal of the stand-and-shoot limitation from the original game, granting players newfound mobility in combat. However, this freedom is balanced by a revamp of the enemy AI, making them more aggressive and intelligent. Additionally, there are also just more enemies that Leon has to deal with in any given scenario.

The remake also plays with the expectations of veteran players by introducing surprising twists. For instance, the once-reliable knife can now break if used too much, and the floor in the village tower collapses if you attempt to camp there.

The reimagined boss battles are even more punishing, requiring resource management and quick reflexes. This combination of enhanced mechanics and classic survival horror elements makes Resident Evil 4 Remake one of the hardest and most engaging third-person shooters on the PS5.

4 Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon

Master Deep Mech Customization & Overwhelming Boss Fights

It isn’t a FromSoftware game if it isn’t difficult, right? While Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon may not reach the extreme difficulty of Elden Ring or Sekiro, it still demands a certain amount of respect from the player.

The games take the mech series’ signature combat to new heights, offering a steep learning curve that rewards careful planning and execution. The difficulty arises not just from higher enemy HP or fierce attacks, but also from how much preparation the player puts into the fight. Armored Core 6 requires players to experiment with various mech builds to determine the best setup for each situation.

Players must consider factors like loadout, weight, energy consumption, stagger, and more to create their ideal killing machine in AC6. Combat encounters are fast-paced with enemies designed to exploit any weaknesses in the player’s build. Armored Core 6 easily secures its place as one of the hardest shooters on the PS5.

3 The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered

Endure The Grounded Difficulty & Intense Survival Mechanics

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered enhances the critically acclaimed 2020 title with upgraded graphics and gameplay while preserving its brutal difficulty. Every encounter can be lethal, requiring players to think on their feet and utilize every resource to survive — especially in Grounded mode, the game’s hardest difficulty.

In Grounded, enemies are relentless and have near-perfect aim, and ammo drops are extremely scarce, making slipping past the enemies not just encouraged but sometimes a necessity. This difficulty also suits the game’s narrative the best, as it draws similarities between the desperation of the player’s survival with Ellie’s harrowing quest for revenge.

The newly added No Return mode in the remastered version further challenges even the most seasoned players, pushing their skills to the limit in wild custom combat scenarios, ranging from invisible enemies to molotovs raining from the sky.

2 Remnant 2

Face Against Otherworldly Bosses And Find A Way To Take Them Down

Remnant 2 is an incredible elevation from the first game in the franchise, and also a true replacement for the Dark Souls series in the shooter genre. Remnant 2 is more like a compact Elden Ring experience with multiple worlds that each come with their own main and side boss fights, along with explorable locations that introduce extra challenges.

As a class-based game, Remnant 2 offers a lot of builds, but it also doesn’t lock a certain class out of certain engagements. Every class can win against all bosses, and it’s more about the player’s skills. Just like Souls games, players must learn and remember the pattern of attacks by each boss, parry the attacks in the meantime, and remain patient throughout the battle.

1 Returnal

Roguelike Challenges & Ever-Changing Scifi Environments Will Test Your Sanity

Returnal stands out for its harsh difficulty and punishing roguelike mechanics. Players must navigate a hostile alien planet where death means losing almost all progress and starting over. A single mistake can force you to replay hours of combat just to face the same brutal boss that initially defeated you.

The game’s ever-shifting environments and unpredictable enemy placements keep players on edge, ensuring that every run feels unique. Its combat system demands quick thinking and sharp reflexes, while the need to adapt to different weapons and upgrades ensures that Returnal is not for the faint of heart.

The atmospheric storytelling and oppressive world only add to the tension, solidifying Returnal as the most challenging third-person shooter on PS5 to date.