Summary
For many players, there is no better feeling than sinking their teeth into achallenging boss battle. Learning the particular attacks and weaknesses of their foe, honing skills learned throughout the course of a level or game, and overcoming a mighty obstacle leaves them with a feeling of achievement and progress.
Some games take this premise and tailor the entire playing experience around it, making the game only about boss battles. Players have to learn their movesets and abilities quickly, closely observe enemies, and train their reaction speed if they wish to succeed in these difficult circumstances. Some of these titles are the toughest games that can be found outside theSoulsborneseries.
Atwin-stick bullet-hellgame with a slight twist,Godstrikeconsists of ten very tricky boss battles with strict time limits. Any damage taken or the use of abilities will reduce the player’s time, so they must be cautious when approaching combat.
Some players have complained about hit-box issues and that the game can be completed in only a few hours, but the art style is attractive in its simplicity and players can really find something to enjoy if they can take down the very difficult “tutorial” boss.
While the name may suggest that this is just a cheap copy ofDark SoulsorElden Ring,Eldest Soulsdoes have its merits. A trickysoulsike in pixel form, it has an intriguing story to unravel, with NPCs to meet along the way and many possibilities when it comes to character builds.
An additional three bosses feature in the free expansionDepths of the Forgotten, making it twelve bosses to be fought in total, and each one is unique. At times, hitboxes can seem unclear and mistakes can be punished somewhat unfairly, but overall, players seem to enjoyEldest Soulsif they give it a try.
8ITTA
Cat-like Reflexes
Another relatively short bullet-hell game,Ittahas a much more engaging story. The themes of personal struggle are clear to see, but the main goal is to highlight the importance of perseverance, so gameplay is accessible. If players are struggling with any of the 18 boss battles, they can change damage multipliers or become invincible.
The pixel art style and sublime soundtrack have been heavily praised, as well as the large arsenal of attacks available to players. The story breaks up the action nicely, leading to quite an emotional experience, and Itta’s cat is very popular with fans.
Making their way through a series of bouts with somewhat stereotypical characters, players have beenenjoyingPunch-Out!!since the 1980s. There were six opponents in the original arcade version, with many more in later entries to face on the various ‘circuits’, and cameo appearances from the likes of Mike Tyson and Mario.
The series enjoyed a short-lived revival in 2009 with thePunch-Out!!reboot for the Wii, which was received well by fans and critics alike. Some may find the classification of the fighters in thePunch-Out!!series as ‘bosses’ contentious, but it seems appropriate since many players even struggle against the feeble Glass Joe!
6SINNER: Sacrifice For Redemption
A Glutton For Punishment
Back to games inspired by theDark Soulsseries, this time in three dimensions withSINNER: Sacrifice for Redemption. Players take on the seven deadly sins in the form of grotesque monstrosities, followed by an additional eighth boss.
After each battle, an ability is removed, making the game even tougher as players progress. The mechanics and aesthetic of the game have been praised, but the story seems to be somewhat lacking. Those who like a challenge can tackle the additional Nightmare Mode after their initial completion, which allows players to tackle all eight bosses consecutively in the same arena.
One arrow and one hit kills. It sounds simple enough, but inTitan Soulsthings are not so easy. Taking on the colossal titans and aiming for that one weak spot for an instant kill is devilishly difficult, and it’s worth bearing in mind that the monsters can kill playerswith a single hittoo.
There are 19 bosses in total to be toppled, each with unique movesets and abilities that players will have to learn if they hope to overcome this challenge.Titan Soulsis often cited as one of the first soulslikes, and clearly draws inspiration fromShadow of the Colossustoo.
TheMonster Hunterseries is known for its epic boss battles, tackling gargantuan monsters and using their corpses to craft better armor and weapons. The series is also known for the grind, but inMonster Hunter Worldthat is removed, so players can really sink their teeth into the best clashes.
Some players may question the inclusion of this entry since there are smaller monsters thatcan be easy fodder, but they are intended to be decorations to make the world feel more alive, and the vast majority of players will ignore them to take on the larger beasts. The loot on offer from bosses is far superior.
3Mega Man: The Power Battle
Mega Man: Boss Rush
Quite a curiosity in theMega Manseries with just the bosses and no level to traverse beforehand. Just as in the mainline games, inThe Power Battle, the chosen player character will receive the weapon from his defeated foe, meaning that players should choose the correct path to defeat enemies if they want to exploit their weaknesses.
There are 18 main bosses in the game, and three playable characters to choose from, so each playthrough is unique. Since it was originally an arcade game, it is difficult and will test the resolve of even the most patient players.
Trapped in a hellish prison consisting of floating islands, “the Stranger” must escape by defeating the guardians of the prison and the jailer. Guided by “the Voice”, a mysterious man in a bunny costume, he must overcome these ten bosses with a mixture ofmelee and firearm combat, and perfect timing.
Furihas additional bosses through DLC, one called “the Flame”, and finally, Bernard can be challenged if defeating all other bosses on the hardest of the three difficulty levels. He is capable of using the attacks of every other boss in the game, making him a formidable foe.
An instant classic and very unorthodox game for its time,Shadow of the Colossusreally wanted players to feel the consequences of their actions. Attempting to save a dying girl, Mono, and traversing the expansive open world as Wander with his horse, Agro, players are tasked with killing the 16 Colossi spread around the map.
There is a great emotional impact in this game, with strangefeelings of unease and guiltwhen killing the colossi, many of whom are non-hostile until they are attacked. The long and peaceful journeys between battles give players time to contemplate what they have done and what is yet to come, something that would have been lost had there been basic enemies to fight.
