Bosses are the cornerstone of most games. We would dare to say that, in some cases, a game is only as good as its bosses. And part of what makes a boss good is the variety in their fight; that feeling when you think you've learned all the boss’s patterns, and then they throw a curveball.
Related10 Video Game Bosses With The Best Second Phases
If you thought one fight was bad enough, these bosses come back for more.
Posts By Zackary WiggsIt’s even better when it’s a surprise, be it a complete change in the boss’s move-set or when the game tricks you into thinking you’ve actually beat the boss, only for their health bar to fill all the way back up again.
8 Shadow Shido
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal
Like JRPG Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 94/100 Critics Rec: 98% Released October 31, 2019 ESRB m Developer(s) P Studio, Atlus Publisher(s) P Studio, Atlus 3 Images CloseWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALMasayoshi Shido is the boss that’s been hyped up all game. When you finally get to face him, he is no push-up, especially in vanilla Persona 5. The fight is really epic, thanks to the iconic song Rivers In The Desert playing in the background.
Maybe his second phase is not exactly a surprise, but the last one is. Once you beat his initial forms of Human Sacrifice, you’ll get to face his Samael form, and next his True Samael form, but when you drop him low, you’ll get an epic one-on-one battle, just Joker and him.
7 Chykka
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Like First-Person Shooter Metroidvania Systems Released November 15, 2004 ESRB T For Teen Due To Animated Blood, Violence Developer(s) Retro Studios Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Heavily modified Metroid Prime engine 6 Images metroid-prime-2_-echoes-in-game-screenshot-3.jpgmetroid-prime-2_-echoes-cover-art.jpgmetroid-prime-2_-echoes-in-game-screenshot-1.jpgmetroid-prime-2_-echoes-in-game-screenshot-4.jpgmetroid-prime-2_-echoes-in-game-screenshot-2.jpgmetroid-prime-2_-echoes-in-game-screenshot-5.jpgCloseWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALThe Metroid Prime series is known for having some mediocre bosses, but also some awesome ones. The Chykka fight is one of the good ones. You start the fight against the larva, which swims around in a poison pool with a huge health bar. Nothing too crazy.
RelatedThe Metroid Prime Timeline, Explained
It's the timeline within a timeline – here's how Samus' Prime adventures fit together!
Posts By Bobby MillsOnce you beat it, though, you’re left thinking that was it, but out of nowhere, the adult Chykka flies in, and the second phase begins. You are left shocked and caught off guard. This phase is better - much harder and exciting, with a lot of things to take into account at the same time.
6 Mother Brain
Super Metroid
Super Metroid Like Action-Adventure Metroidvania Systems Released April 18, 1994 ESRB e Developer(s) Nintendo Publisher(s) Nintendo Franchise MetroidWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALOf course, one of the best games ever made ends with a surprise second-phase boss fight. The fight against Mother Brain starts off just as you expect, and the same way it went in the first Metroid. Just shoot at the one-eyed brain while avoiding the lava and projectiles.
After 'beating it', you might think you’ve won the game. But Mother Brain thinks otherwise, standing up with an entirely new bipedal body and being a lot more dangerous. In fact, Samus alone is not enough to beat it, and requires the help of her infant -now Super- Metroid, in an epic and cinematic ending to the game.
5 Rayvis
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
3.5/5 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Like Follow Followed Action-Adventure Soulslike Sci-Fi Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 87% Released April 28, 2023 ESRB T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence Developer(s) Respawn Entertainment Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Star WarsWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONJedi: Survivor is basically Star Wars meets Dark Souls. It is an excellent game that translates all the Jedi's powers and abilities we see in movies and shows to the game. The exploration and metroidvania-esque features make for a fun experience for any Star Wars fan.
Rayvis is one of the game's main bosses, and it can be a challenge if you're playing on the Jedi Grand Master difficulty. He pulls the classic trick of revealing his true form once you deplete his health bar; now, the fight is much harder, since he’s very aggressive, making the fight less about attacking recklessly and more about patience and parrying, like a true Jedi.
4 Hades
Hades
Hades Like Follow Followed Action RPG Roguelite Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 94/100 Critics Rec: 99% Released September 17, 2020 ESRB T for Teen: Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Supergiant Games Publisher(s) Supergiant Games Engine Proprietary Engine Franchise Hades Steam Deck Compatibility VerifiedWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONFor the first couple of hours, the only thing you'll see of the game's main boss, Hades, are his passive-aggressive comments and mockery whenever you fail to escape the underworld. He is obviously not a contender for Father of the Year. But things get interesting when you manage to reach him.
RelatedHades 2: Every Returning Character
Here's every character from the first Hades game who has returned in Hades.
Posts By Tallis SpaldingJust getting there is ordeal enough. Now you have to fight the guy, and he hits you with everything he's got. You'll need to make use of all your boons, synergies and death defiances. And even then, it might not be enough, especially because once you finally defeat him, he gets up, fills his health bar, and comes at you even harder.
3 Soul Master
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight (Dupe)
Like Metroidvania Fighting Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 89/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released February 24, 2017 ESRB e Developer(s) Team Cherry Publisher(s) Team Cherry Engine Unity Franchise Hollow Knight Platform(s) Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, macOS, Xbox Genre(s) Metroidvania, Fighting Powered by Expand CollapseAnother boss that is hard enough to reach as is, let alone the fight itself. For a first-time player, the Soul Sanctum is a horrible place, full of Mistakes and Follies that keep on respawning, not to mention the mini-bosses: Soul Twisters and Soul Warriors. If you survive all that and reach the bench, you are in for a treat.
The Soul Master really tricks you into thinking you've beaten him: he deflates, screams dramatically and flashes all over the screen, as if he was really dead. But, as you are getting ready to continue with your adventure, he slams the floor and starts the second phase that you never expected.
2 Ludwig, The Accursed / Ludwig, The Holy Blade
Bloodborne
Bloodborne Like Follow Followed Action RPG Soulslike Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 91/100 Critics Rec: 98% Released March 24, 2015 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Sony 6 Images CloseWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONProbably the best boss in a game full of good bosses, Ludwig came in the acclaimed DLC for Bloodborne, the Old Hunters. He starts the fight as The Accursed, a tragic figure totally consumed by beasthood, attacking with very erratic and unpredictable behavior.
Related13 Most Tragic Details in Bloodborne
Bloodborne's world is full of tragedy.
Posts By Abigail LonngiHalfway through the fight, he will regain much of his consciousness and turn into The Holy Blade. This is a massive and unexpected change in battle. He becomes much more rational with his attacks and much harder, making for a thrilling and tough fight.
1 Guardian Ape
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
4.5/5 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Like Follow Followed Action RPG Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 96% Released March 22, 2019 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence Developer(s) From Software Publisher(s) Activision Engine Proprietary EngineWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThis is the big one. Never has a game made so many people suffer and struggle with one of the game's toughest bosses, showing you the "Shinobi Execution" screen, literally telling you that you beat the boss, only for it to revive a couple of seconds later with a completely new move-set.
The now headless Ape becomes completely erratic and unpredictable, which is to be expected. He now fights with a huge sword that covers a lot of range, making it hard to get up close and personal to deal damage. This really is one of those moments you'll never forget, thinking you've already beaten him and realizing you were only halfway through.
Next10 Hardest DLC Bosses In Gaming, Ranked
Some of gaming's best bosses can be found in DLC.
Posts 2 By Umair S.Malik
