Best Games Where You Are The Final Boss

Key Takeaways

Facing off against themselves in final boss battles is common in video games, making for an exciting climax.
Examples include “Black Myth: Wukong,” “Metal Gear Solid,” and “Dark Souls 3,” where players confront versions of themselves.
Battles reflect internal struggles, moral dilemmas, and emotional journeys, providing a unique and often bittersweet conclusion.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can attest to the fact that these games have truly pushed the boundaries of interactive storytelling. Each one presents unique challenges and emotional rollercoasters that leave a lasting impact on players.

As a dedicated gamer, I must say, encountering final boss battles that mirror our own inner struggles or moral dilemmas is nothing new. The moment the cutscene concludes and I find myself facing my own reflection, with the music swelling and reaching its grandest heights – it’s a sensation that resonates deeply with fellow gamers like me. Yet, when executed skillfully, these self-confrontational showdowns serve as an exhilarating finale to any gaming journey.

Despite being frequently overlooked, it’s always crucial to ponder on instances where actions were not just correctly executed but reached a satisfying culmination of one’s journey. Whether the conflict is internal, battling personal aspects, or external, grappling with moral dilemmas that challenge one’s character traits – these are some situations where players engage in a climactic showdown with themselves as the ultimate adversary.

This article contains major spoilers for all titles discussed.

1 Black Myth: Wukong

Complete The Cycle

Following their trip to the West, players might not be taken aback to discover their ultimate foe is none other than Sun Wukong, the Triumphant Battle Buddha. Moreover, it’s worth noting that The Destined One, who plays a crucial role in the game, is the last artifact required to restore Sun Wukong completely.

He’s known for being an exceptionally formidable adversary, often employing every move the player character has used against them, causing them to adapt their playstyle consistently. Strategies that worked against previous Yaoguis won’t suffice when facing The Monkey King directly. The scene is masterfully portrayed as the long boat trip encounters The Destined One with Wukong’s history, including his flaws and the burden of Mount Huaguo on his shoulders. Nevertheless, the player must finish the cycle and assume the role themselves. It’s a bittersweet ending to a lengthy journey.

2 Metal Gear Solid

An Evil Clone

Konami’s highly praised espionage tale isn’t shy about intricate storylines and unexpected plot turns. When Solid Snake was summoned from his retirement for an undercover operation at a secluded militia camp, he hadn’t anticipated discovering a conspiracy revolving around genetic tampering and sinister cloning – but that’s precisely what transpired.

Towards the climax of Solid Snake’s covert, exclamation-laden escapade, he encounters the truth: He and his sinister doppelganger, Liquid Snake, are both genetic copies of Big Boss. One could hardly ask for a more dramatic ending than a fierce hand-to-hand battle between two super-soldier siblings.

3 Dark Souls 3

The Soul Of Cinder

For long-time Dark Souls players, embarking on that well-trodden path filled with challenges, aiming to connect with the First Flame and prevent the world from plunging into endless darkness, is just another day in the life. Eventually, after countless defeats, gamers will encounter the Soul of Cinder, understanding that this final boss in Dark Souls 3 is a fusion of all the souls who have previously linked themselves to the fire.

In this scenario, we find the main character from the initial Dark Souls game, and The Soul of Cinder’s combat style mirrors not only some past series’ bosses but also the players themselves. This confrontation culminates in an epic finale that fittingly wraps up the Dark Souls trilogy.

4 Middle-earth Shadow Of War: Blade Of Galadriel

Talion’s Nazgul Shortcomings

In the Middle-earth chronicles, following his parting from Celebrimbor and the loss of his own replica of The One Ring, the main character Talion found himself in a desperate predicament. With no other recourse, he donned one of the tainted rings belonging to men. This act exposed him to the malevolent influence of the Dark Lord Sauron, bestowing upon him various powers akin to those of the Ring Wraiths. These abilities were used by Talion to safeguard Minas Ithil.

In the sequel, which unfolds shortly following the primary game’s events, The Blade of Galadriel puts players in command of Eltariel, whose union with Celebrimbor has been forged, as she embarks on her journey across Middle-earth post the demise of The Witch King. This sequence leads to a clash between Eltariel and Talion, who, under the influence of one of Sauron’s rings, is nearing complete corruption. This tragic turn in Shadow of War’s narrative presents a poignant sight as the protagonist appears to be transforming into the very enemy they initially sought to vanquish. The encounter feels less like defeating a final adversary and more like bidding farewell to an ally.

5 Shadow Of The Colossus

Consumed By Grief

Following the conquest of the sixteen colossi, the main character, Wander, uncovers the truth that these giants had been tricked into attacking for the purpose of freeing Dormin – an ancient malevolence which then seizes control over Wander’s body, transforming them into a massive and ominous shadowy creature.

Following a vast chasm appearing, it tries to pull the player towards it. Regardless of the player’s attempts to flee, escape proves elusive. This heartrending finale compels the player to face the unintentional injustices they’ve perpetrated without realizing. The player can choose between continuing to struggle, holding on to life and resisting the void, or accepting fate and concluding Wander’s tale.

6 NieR: Automata

It Was Bound To Happen

As a gamer, I found myself in a thrilling predicament where I had to eliminate options among the 26 different endings in this Platinum Games‘ masterpiece. The climax of the robot hack-and-slash adventure led me into an intense, emotionally charged showdown against one of the game’s deuteragonists.

In simpler terms, the battle is intense with swift blade strikes to the face and even manipulation of time working against A2. Clearly, it demands thorough readiness, be it physical strength or mental fortitude.

7 Devil May Cry 3

Might Controls Everything

In the series, Vergil’s debut as the main adversary was met with instant acclaim, solidifying his status as a beloved and iconic video game character. As the motivationally opposite brother of the franchise’s central figure, Dante, Vergil is essentially the mirror image of his sibling.

In each battle during the game, Vergil utilizes moves learned by the player against them, except for his Yamato katana’s unique techniques. The Special Edition version offers players a chance to play as Vergil, leading to multiple confrontations with Dante and the thrill of dodging the deadly Rebellion Stinger. However, this gameplay change doesn’t significantly impact the story.

8 Mass Effect 3

The Citadel Expansion

In this expansion of BioWare’s renowned space-exploring RPG franchise, one can clearly see why it’s wise for gamers to be wary of creating overpowered characters by assuming there could be a potentially malicious duplicate involved.

Crafted by Cerberus as an adequate substitute, this misguided duplicate aims solely to defeat Shepard and fully adopt their persona. With the game’s intricate morality system integrated, it sets up an intense identity dilemma that concludes with a challenging showdown against the malevolent clone of your character Shepard – who employs your unique skills and weapons in a fierce battle to outmatch you.

2024-09-29 04:34