Grinding is generally looked down on in the world of video games. People don't necessarily appreciate the idea of spending a stupid number of hours doing menial things to unlock powers or gain levels.
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However, not every game with grinding is a totally unbearable experience. Once the payoff arrives from players spending hours working on their stats to get stronger, players will love the satisfaction of obliterating the foes standing in their way without too many problems.
Elden Ring
Exploring The World And Getting Stronger Helps The Tarnished Tackle Tougher Bosses
Elden Ring
- Released
- February 25, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
The beauty of Elden Ring stems from its willingness to challenge players while also giving them endless avenues to get stronger. The grind feels natural as players explore various corners of the open world and gather the Runes they need to become more powerful.
The Tarnished will love going the extra mile to become stronger and stronger over time, eventually attaining the means to take out bosses that were giving them a hard time. As long as players manage to hold onto their Runes and not make silly mistakes, grinding is more than bearable in this game.
Octopath Traveler 2
Players Must Get Stronger To Deal With Harder Bosses That Don't Let Up
Octopath Traveler 2
- Released
- February 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Rated T for Teen for Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol and Tobacco.
- Genre(s)
- RPG
The open-ended world of Octopath Traveler 2, coupled with its freeform exploration, ensures that players can acquire the levels they need without feeling like they're trivializing a challenge. Exploration is more dynamic than ever, featuring a wealth of optional dungeons coupled with a day-night mechanic where players can enjoy different encounters based on whether the sun is up.
It helps that the excellent music and joyful combat mechanics ensure that Octopath Traveler 2's battles are a joy to experience every single time. Grinding will ensure that the game's optional challenges are easier to manage and the Hero Actions that are gated by levels don't hamper players for too long.
Kenshi
Grinding Is Necessary For Players Who Don't Want To Die Over And Over Again
Kenshi
- Released
- December 6, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- nr
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Open-World, Survival
Kenshi is not a game for impatient players. Grinding is a necessity for players who don't want to head out of town and be obliterated by the very first combat encounter that comes their way.
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It takes a while, but grinding up combat skills for party members ensures that players won't be completely helpless in this game's harrowing sandbox. This will help players slowly but surely understand Kenshi's brilliance after a grueling early game.
Gothic
The Early Grind Helps Players Become Better At This Punishing Game
Gothic
- Released
- November 23, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t
- Genre(s)
- RPG
From the moment players get into their first combat encounter in Gothic, they'll realize just how out of their depth they really are. Even the weakest enemy in the game can surround players and kill them off in no time, forcing players to use cowardly tactics to get through the simplest of encounters.
The early game of Gothic is ridiculously hard, which is why players will savor all the experience they can find before they head to a camp and find a trainer to hone their skills. Unlocking combos, improving stats, and becoming more adept in combat make Gothic a riveting title that players will have a great time with.
Yakuza 0
Kiryu And Majima's Skills Become Better If Players Engage In The Side Activity Grind
Yakuza 0
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
Yakuza 0's side activities can be somewhat grindy affairs as players become masters of the Cabaret Club Czar and Real Estate Royale minigames. It may seem like a major timesink, but the story beats and hilarious content ensure that players won't be bored for too long. It helps that the reward for completing these side businesses is both Kiryu and Majima unlocking a fourth fighting style.
Real Estate Royale may be a bit more of a bore, but not something that's completely unmanageable. Cabaret Club Czar is certainly entertaining, although players will have to crank out a few sessions if they aren't too keen on setting up sponsorships with other businesses to promote Club Sunshine.
Monster Hunter Wilds
Despite Its Issues, The Combat Is Still Fun And Worth The Grind Players Must Undergo
Monster Hunter Wilds
- Released
- February 28, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
The Monster Hunter games are all about the grind, and Monster Hunter Wilds certainly doesn't disappoint. The game is full to the brim with a bunch of hunts for players to partake in that help them acquire the materials they need to become stronger.
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Forging better gear and fighting tougher monsters is the true gameplay loop of Monster Hunter Wilds that never ceases to be engaging. Despite hardcore fans turning against this title, Capcom will eventually find a way to load this game up with so much content that players will never get tired of smashing massive monsters to a pulp with their friends.
Genshin Impact
The Grind Isn't Unbearable And Ensures That Players Can Have Fun Without Spending A Single Penny
Genshin Impact
- Released
- September 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
Genshin Impact is one of the most popular open-world games around that became successful despite its gacha elements. Sure, players can invest a ton of money in this game to become stronger, but the grind isn't bad enough to force players down this scummy route.
For a free game, the sheer amount of content in Genshin Impact is incredible and ensures that players will love unlocking new heroes and testing out their abilities in a beautiful open world. Despite initially being written off for being what looked like a freemium Breath of the Wild clone, Genshin Impact has come into its own as one of the most popular open-world games players can sink a ton of hours into.
Diablo 4
The Open-World Approach Makes This ARPG And Its Grind More Engaging Than Ever
Diablo 4
- Released
- June 5, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Hack and Slash
Diablo 4 will continue to receive support from Blizzard until players can comfortably crank in a thousand hours in this open-world ARPG. As things start, players just getting into this title will find themselves overwhelmed with the wealth of content this title has to offer.
Grinding is second-nature for players in any Diablo game, and the fourth mainline entry is no exception. This grind is necessary if players want access to stronger equipment and higher levels, allowing them to amass the confidence they need to tackle endgame threats.
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