It is almost automatic to think aboutFromSoftware(and Soulslike titles in general) when we start discussing challenging bosses that make us want to throw our controller out of the window. Because who does not love that feeling?
Jokes aside, Souls titles are known and basically defined by the presence of brutal battles and punishing mechanics that push the player to their limit – yet suffering with a boss fight is not something completely exclusive to them.
10 Soulsborne Bosses Harder Than The Final Boss
Being the last challenge doesn’t necessarily make you the most demanding.
Outside this genre, we can find a legion of pretty tough bosses that require a lot of skill, alongside a few doses of precision and patience, to be defeated in games that are not even known for being extremely hard.
So, in this article, let’s try listing some of the best skill-check, player-testing bosses that are lurking on the corners out there, but do not come from a traditional Souls experience.
10Koloktos
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
When I reached the boss’ room in the Ancient Cistern inZelda: Skyward Swordand found a multiple-armed automaton, I thought that I may have accidentally swapped the game that I was playing.
Koloktos looks like a creature that we would find in a Soulslike with a steampunk theme, and you need to dodge the hell out of its attack patterns while aiming for a counter-attack on its weak points.
It is challenging, fun, and extremely rewarding by the end of the battle – and probably my favorite boss fight from any Zelda game.
Shadow of the Colossus
We all know thatShadow of the Colossushas a thing for giant bosses, and what amazes me is that all of them manage to be quite challenging and epic in their own way.
However, facing Phalanx requires some extra-sharpened skills, a very good eye, and a little patience, since he can fly, and you need to jump on his wings at the right time. If you fail, you have to chase him again.
It can be a little frustrating if you take a long time to master his timing – especially if you jump when his wing still has a lot of sand on it, causing the Wander to drop –, but finally defeating him makes all the struggle worth it.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Fextralife Wiki
If you have played the amazingClair Obscur: Expedition 33, I know that you cursed a little bit right now while reading this one’s name.
Simon is a hidden boss and probably the hardest in the entire game due to his crazy combos that make parry completely mandatory; otherwise, you are screwed. Sorry to be the one to say that.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: How To Beat Simon
A superboss of this caliber demands a super strategy!
To be fair, though, I really like how he looks a lot like a Souls boss, not only for his appearance – clothes and enormous sword on the back –, but also for his insanely powerful moves.
7Police Chief
Hotline Miami
Hotline Miamiis known for being a fast-paced game in which surviving (and killing everyone you encounter) is a very difficult task.
There is one particular phase, though, that blends rooms with regular enemies with a ridiculously strong boss right in the center – the Police Chief.
For me, this is the hardest fight in the whole game because it requires you to take out the regular enemies while dodging the boss’s gunshots (that kill you with 1-hit, by the way) and trying to find the best opening to shoot him. And he is tough to defeat, requiring a lot of weapons.
Ninja Gaiden Black
I often think about playingNinja Gaiden Black, but then Alma comes to mind, and I say: “Nah, I think I’m good for now”.
Sure, the game is very challenging in general, with many good fights on the way, but Alma is on a whole different level. The way she moves and attacks keeps you constantly on edge, which makes dodging so much harder than it actually is.
She does not let you breathe, not even for a second, and any mistake can be your end. I mean, I am not even playing it, and my hands are already sweating.
For a long shot, Nemesis is the hardest boss fight inReturnal– and that means a lot since Housemarque was not kidding when they decided to createa challenging roguelite.
Basically, you face this huge, mysterious creature at the end of the Derelict Citadel (the third biome), and it puts your platforming skills to the test. You need to dodge attacks coming from every direction while looking out for falling platforms and a way to shoot his ass.
It is a lot of pressure, so if you do not remain calm and patient, panic can take over and be your end.
4Baroness Von Bon Bon
Cupheadis one of my favorite indie games ever, so I had a hard time picking only one boss for this list since there are so many challenging and fun fights – such as Grim Matchstick, Phantom Express, King Dice, and The Devil.
Baroness Von Bon Bon ended up being the one because she has the most creative phases, with parries that reward you with an insanely high dose of dopamine.
It is very hard to master each phase, because each one of them hasmini-bossesthat are chosen at random, so you never know what to expect. And to dodge everything requires a lot of skill and focus.
3Virtual Sephiroth
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
This one is keepingFinal Fantasy VII Rebirth’s platinum trophy away from me – because the virtual version for Sephiroth, which is part of the VR missions from Chadley, is absurd.
Imagine his standard version, but three times more aggressive and frightening, with a new Octaslash attack that almost depletes the HP of everyone in your party (even the non-controlled ones).
Best Order To Play All Mainline Final Fantasy Games
The time has come to discover the franchise of the crystals.
Square Enix went quite far with this Sephiroth, and if you were planning on taking a chance against him, I wish you a lot of luck.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3
You know when a boss fight is special when it begins withits own theme song, especially with one as epic as Raphael’s inBaldur’s Gate 3.
Alongside its amazing build-up and dramatic atmosphere, facing the Devil himself in Act 3 – meaning that you are quite close to the end, so it is not going to be an easy fight – is one of the most challenging and fun experiences in the RPG.
You have plenty of ways to defeat him, but whatever you choose, one thing is certain: it is impossible to be indifferent to this battle. Oh, and he has 666 HP, which can be quite a hilarious touch if it did not also mean that he is very tough to kill.
God of War
When I faced and defeated Sigrun – after many attempts and hours of training –, all I could think was that it was just as hard as any challenging boss from the Soulsborne titles.
She is the last of the Valkyries inGod of War(2018) and can completely obliterate Kratos in a few moves, so you can not screw up a single time, keeping you on edge from beginning to end. Also, her multiple stomps directly from the sky are terrifying.
That said, when you finally manage to beat her, it is extremely satisfying.
12 Hardest Final Bosses of All Time
Notoriously hellish and oh-so annoying.
