The Best Bosses in Video Games

[@kottongin3087]

I really like the way you have “insert your favorite here” for monster hunter and soulsborne. I’ve never seen that before but it is such a good compromise to recognize just how well the franchises do bosses and that there is no “correct” choice for the best one in those series

[@campbellmaggs4384]

I'm gonna get dragged to bits for saying this...but I really like the final boss of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. A really elegant solution to the first game's absolute dogwater in the boss department, the sequel genuinely gets its teeth into the question of "how do you tackle a boss fight in an immersive sim." My first play through was very stealth-hacker centric, so I was having flashbacks to the first game's punishing run-and-gun affairs. Imagine my joy when I realised I could remote hack the boss's drones, stealth up to the second floor while he was dealing with them, override the security terminal to engage him with the mounted guns, and finish him off with the revolver. The cyber-spy badass fantasy of my dreams.

[@iamstrungalong]

While not mechanically amazing; Ulysses' fight in New Vegas is perfectly built up, and can play out a number of different ways that affect the overworld (and your faction reputation) Khan Makyr (Doom Eternal) is also a great fight, definitely felt like the true final boss (Icon of Sin was more of a cooldown)

[@kerseyHarding]

Sword Saint Isshin. Interesting pick, I liked him, but Great Shinobi Owl was always my favorite. The version of him in Hirata Estate. He uses similar skills and Shinobi tools as you and uses your familiarity with them to trick you into a false sense of security. Like when he goes for an overhead swing where he lets the sword linger in the air before dropping similar to your Ichimonchi attack. However, you know from experience that side stepping will allow you to dodge it easily which is what he wants you to do. If you attempt to side step he will cancel out of the attack for a quick side sweep instead. Or that he uses his phantom owl to try and blind you before lunging at you. Or using shinobi fire crackers to obscure the danger symbol when he's about to make a devastating move on you. It feels like you are fighting your mentor, a true ninja.

[@rose_waltz]

Yeah the Owl fights narratively are stellar, and honestly super fun to, i think i’d put him in the #3 slot with the other soulsborne fights cuz he is such a good fight especially the estate one

[@kerseyHarding]

@rose_waltz I think I rank Isshin lower is because he's too hard, haha. I hate that spear thing

[@KittyNaptune]

Fighting V2 first time in Ultrakill is fun, but the [spoiler] Prime Sanctum fights are just really special. It feels like you are playing a mix between quake and DMC, and the boss is a Tekken boss character.

[@rose_waltz]

i definitely need to play more ultrakill! i enjoyed it a ton the little i played but i need to put some more time into it for sure!

[@KittyNaptune]

@@rose_waltz I feel like there really is no game like it :O - The way your weapons all interact with one another means you can do some insane combos. It's kinda reminiscent of Bulletstorm, but cranked to 11. Been playing myself since the first release of EA, and it's fun to play each new release.... but sometimes I wish I got to play the game freshly in it's entirety, and learn the interactions anew. If you do play Ultrakill, right now they have all Weapons, so all possible combos can be learned. But full release with the final levels will probably be the best the game is going to be, and it's not that far away - the game is 80-90% done.

[@abhorrentjuno]

very good list!! some of my favorite boss fights from games i’ve played are Saddler from Resident Evil 4, Adam Smasher in Cyberpunk 2077, Oryx in Destiny: The Taken King and Cynthia in Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum but if i had to pick one to be my absolute favorite, it’s Lady Maria from Bloodborne. i taught myself to get good and defeat her only using parries and the satisfaction was amazing, absolutely adore her character and fight

[@rose_waltz]

oooh yes, both oryx and cynthia were almost on this list as well they are top tier

[@autoscorer]

for me, in terms of presentation and narrative i don't think anything can beat the final two fights from nier replicant, "Betrayers" and Shadowlord. just incredible stuff i feel like it says a lot about bloodborne's quality that you listed several all-time great bosses and my favorite, Ludwig, didn't even make the cut lol

[@rose_waltz]

Ah i knew i forgot something!! yeah shadowlord absolutely deserves a spot, great music, great fight, great story

[@soraskyeable]

These are all amazing bosses! The final Xemnas fight from Kingdom Hearts 2 will always be my favorite!

[@rose_waltz]

KH was definitely the franchise i felt really bad about not including in this list since i haven’t played it, so many lists have KH bosses so i can’t wait to finally play em

[@soraskyeable]

@@rose_waltz I can't wait to watch you play them then!

[@NeonGuyLive]

I SAW WHITE GLINT IN THE THUMBNAIL AND CLICKED SO FAST

[@rose_waltz]

white glint definitely shares a spot with the other AC fight on this list, i loved the white glint fights

[@NeonGuyLive]

@@rose_waltz From the OG to fighting the MC in successor mode from 4, both didn’t fail to deliver. My thumbs hated me for a week after both fights. Also OMG hi! Love your content! Really wanting to watch more of your live stuff! Have a good day! 😅

[@vergil985]

I think ruulk from destiny 2 is up there, man ligit kicks you

[@Vross_MKII]

WHITE GLINT MENTIONED!!!

[@Rinn1312]

Riven of a thousand voices from destiny 2 is far and away the best cooperative gaming experience I've ever had. Just don't cheese it, it ruins the fight.

[@rose_waltz]

The most fun i’ve had in destiny 2 is when it raid group decided to never cheese it again, it’s so much fun