Best 2025 Video Games for grind level

#1 Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
5.0

Players who enjoy long progression grinds have a lot to chase. Camo progression, Prestige systems, and cross-mode leveling are repeatedly praised as deep and rewarding reasons to keep playing.

Pros: multiplayer design, level design

Cons: fun factor, narrative quality

#2 Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
5.0

The focus on execution avoids the bloated progression grind that some players dislike. Even repeated mastery runs remain enjoyable for an enthusiast who normally sees grinding as a chore.

Pros: overall quality, difficulty balance

Cons: frame rate stability, performance optimization

#3 Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
4.7

Grind level was praised in one review for reducing grinding almost entirely.

Pros: remake/remaster quality, combat system

Cons: content variety

#4 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
4.5

Grind level is rated positively by one reviewer who felt the game can be enjoyed at the player’s own pace without grinding.

Pros: narrative quality, combat system

Cons: difficulty balance, weapon balance

#5 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
4.4

The game was praised for reducing grind through shared Picto learning and focused inventory systems, though one review still noted some padding.

Pros: narrative quality, combat system

Cons: map and navigation design, menu usability

#6 Borderlands 4
4.3

Grind level is mixed-to-positive for players who enjoy farming, but low drop chances and repeated boss farming can become a chore.

Pros: movement feel, loot system

Cons: performance optimization, narrative quality

#7 Donkey Kong Bananza
4.0

Grind level was framed positively by one reviewer who kept unlocking and collecting instead of wanting to finish.

Pros: fun factor, world interactivity

Cons: frame rate stability, boss design

#8 Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
3.8

Grinding was mixed: old-school leveling remained present, but speed-up, optional encounters, and concrete goals made it easier to tolerate or enjoy.

Pros: remake/remaster quality, voice acting

Cons: content variety, camera behavior

#9 Arc Raiders
3.5

The grind was considered manageable by some and slow by others, especially around leveling and repeated recycling or upgrading.

Pros: sound design, combat system

Cons: voice acting, menu usability

#10 Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
3.5

The game was not seen as a pure grind, but reviewers still emphasized the effort and repetition needed to gain traction.

Pros: combat system, narrative quality

Cons: save system reliability, learning curve

#11 Monster Hunter Wilds
3.5

Grind level was mixed: crown and loot improvements reduced chores for some, while others still saw the loop as grind-heavy.

Pros: combat system, narrative quality

Cons: difficulty balance, endgame content

#12 Digimon Story Time Stranger
3.4

Grind level was mixed: automation and field attacks reduce friction, but leveling, complex systems, and late Digivolution still require grinding.

Pros: progression system, narrative quality

Cons: pacing, content variety

#13 Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake
3.4

Grinding remained a concern for some reviewers, but others felt difficulty modes and balancing made the grind less draining than older versions.

Pros: remake/remaster quality, combat system

Cons: difficulty balance, grind level

#14 Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
3.2

The grind is usually accepted as part of the appeal, but repeated chores, Life leveling, and crafting demands can tire some reviewers.

Pros: core gameplay loop, narrative quality

Cons: crafting system, multiplayer design

#15 BALL x PIT
3.2

Lasting rewards often make repeated runs feel worthwhile rather than laborious. Individual character leveling, town resource work, and escalating completion requirements can become a grind for others.

Pros: fun factor, upgrade system

Cons: user interface design, grind level

#16 Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
3.2

Grind level is mixed: one reviewer sees Episodes of South Town as grindy, while another praises it for cutting down grind.

Pros: content variety, gameplay mechanics

Cons: learning curve, user interface design

#17 Hades II
3.2

Grinding is a mixed point: some resource gathering pulls players into new paths, while late resource needs can become tedious.

Pros: combat system, progression system

Cons: originality

#18 The Outer Worlds 2
3.1

Grind level was mixed: IGN found the RPG grind compelling, while RPGFan said repetitive tasks and level-cap timing hurt motivation.

Pros: combat system, progression system

Cons: pacing, AI behavior

#19 Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
3.0

Grind level was mixed to negative, mainly due to repetitive side missions or fatigue over long sessions.

Pros: combat system, character roster

Cons: level design, mission design

#20 The First Berserker: Khazan
3.0

Grind level is mildly criticized because skill-point acquisition can be time-consuming.

Pros: combat system, boss design

Cons: narrative quality, difficulty balance

#21 Civilization VII
3.0

Grind level improved where micromanagement and builders were removed, but religion, repairs, and some late systems were criticized as chores or busywork.

Pros: fun factor, economy and resource balance

Cons: progression system, user interface design

#22 Octopath Traveler 0
2.9

Grinding is another mixed area: some reviewers appreciated systems that reduce mandatory leveling, while others found experience, gear, or late-game preparation slow enough to interrupt the story's momentum.

Pros: narrative quality, combat system

Cons: pacing, side character depth

#23 Ghost of Yōtei
2.8

Grind sentiment is mixed-to-negative where repeated side activities, collectibles, or checklist tasks create fatigue over time.

Pros: combat system, narrative quality

Cons: grind level, innovation

#24 Atomfall
2.8

Grind level had limited mixed evidence, with default difficulty feeling grindy to some players before customization helped.

Pros: narrative quality, exploration quality

Cons: combat system, AI behavior

#25 Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted
2.8

Most campaign progress moves briskly, but optional completion can become grindy. Expensive upgrades, coin farming, slow unlock requirements, and repeat runs are the main sources of fatigue.

Pros: fun factor, remake/remaster quality

Cons: graphics quality, soundtrack quality

#26 Tales of Xillia Remastered
2.7

Grinding is highly context-dependent. Grade Shop modifiers can dramatically reduce repetitive leveling, while achievements, trophies, shop leveling, and some midgame progression can still demand busywork.

Pros: combat system, remake/remaster quality

Cons: animation quality, environmental detail

#27 Assassin's Creed Shadows
2.7

Grind level is mixed to negative, especially where side activities, resource demands, or knowledge grinding slow progress.

Pros: stealth mechanics, graphics quality

Cons: narrative quality, mission variety

#28 Marathon
2.7

The grind is substantial and central to Marathon’s identity. Some players enjoy faction progression and long-term goals, while others find repetitive quests and time demands exhausting.

Pros: fun factor, loot system

Cons: difficulty balance, quest design

#29 Yakuza Kiwami 2
2.5

Most progression feels generous, but a few side systems can become grindy. Clan Creator and other optional activities are the main places where repetition can wear thin.

Pros: narrative quality, combat system

Cons: onboarding experience, difficulty balance

#30 Kirby Air Riders
2.5

One reviewer found Road Trip rewards spread across too much work for too little payoff.

Pros: battle mode quality, content variety

Cons: learning curve, competitive balance

#31 Avowed
2.4

Grind level was a common complaint tied to gear upgrades, resource hunting, and spongy combat loops.

Pros: combat system, narrative quality

Cons: difficulty balance, enemy variety

#32 Absolum
2.4

Grind level was one of the most common complaints, though a few reviewers felt it avoided becoming a total grindfest.

Pros: combat system, replay value

Cons: narrative quality, grind level

#33 Sniper Elite: Resistance
2.3

Weapon mastery can require hours of repetitive kill farming. Hunting missed propaganda posters is another activity that some find more tedious than rewarding.

Pros: overall quality, level design

Cons: innovation, mission design

#34 Hollow Knight: Silksong
2.2

Grind level is criticized where resource depletion and boss attempts can push players toward needless grinding.

Pros: difficulty balance, art direction

Cons: economy and resource balance, checkpoint system

#35 Elden Ring Nightreign
2.2

Grind level was a concern when repeated runs or random relic acquisition made progress feel tedious.

Pros: co-op experience, fun factor

Cons: difficulty balance, social features

#36 Pokémon Legends: Z-A
2.1

Grind level was a recurring concern, with some reviewers finding battles, maps, or wild-Pokémon work repetitive despite occasional strategic payoff.

Pros: combat system, exploration quality

Cons: graphics quality, voice acting

#37 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
2.1

The green-crystal requirement was one of the most repeated pain points, often described as filler, tedious, or poorly paced.

Pros: boss design, graphics quality

Cons: open-world design, side character depth

#38 The Alters
2.0

Grind level drew negative evidence, with reviewers criticizing repetitive busywork and mindless material loops.

Pros: narrative quality, replay value

Cons: difficulty balance, pacing

#39 Anno 117: Pax Romana
2.0

Some repetition fits the slow-building appeal, but long research waits and slow shipments can tip the experience from relaxing into administrative busywork.

Pros: fun factor, graphics quality

Cons: learning curve, bug frequency

#40 Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
2.0

Grinding is most noticeable when better gear or repairs require repeated scavenging and long return trips. Inventory and economic pressure can make progression feel more laborious than rewarding.

Pros: immersion, fun factor

Cons: bug frequency, AI behavior

#41 Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage
1.9

World Stage can become grind-heavy, with repeated fights, rank gates, and cosmetic goals sometimes stretching the climb longer than players want.

Pros: remake/remaster quality, combat system

Cons: content variety, character customization

#42 Battlefield 6
1.8

grind level was criticized as tedious.

Pros: multiplayer design, sound design

Cons: narrative quality, map and navigation design

#43 Battlefield REDSEC
1.8

Challenge progression can feel grindy, especially when players are pushed toward modes they do not want to play.

Pros: fun factor, battle mode quality

Cons: multiplayer design, replay value