Top 8 Open-World Games with the Toughest Boss Fights

Summary

Horizon Forbidden West features challenging boss battles with robotic dinosaurs.
Ghost of Tsushima offers unique samurai boss fights with tactical combat mechanics.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom provides fun and experimental boss encounters in a sandbox world.

The most captivating open-worlds in gaming are those brimming with limitless sights and activities for players to explore. A case in point is boss fights, as certain open-world games incorporate confrontations that can be remarkably tough.

In these games, whether players stumble upon them during exploration or as part of a mission, including challenging boss battles in an open world adds depth to gameplay. These adversaries serve as ominous reminders of potential peril, offering gamers numerous hurdles to surmount. The more imposing and tough these bosses are, the more thrilling and unforgettable their confrontations become. Here’s a list of some top open-world games that offer challenging boss fights.

8. Horizon Forbidden West

Pits Players Up Against Robo-Dinosaurs

In Guerrilla’s Horizon Forbidden West, similar to its precursor, players find themselves guiding Aloy through a post-apocalyptic landscape teeming with robotic dinosaurs. The mechanical creatures vary from the bovine-sized Chargers to the colossal, T-rex-like Thunderjaws.

In the game “Horizon Forbidden West,” these later-stage creatures you’ll come across, similar ones within their category, will lead to epic battles reminiscent of cinematic boss fights. Interestingly, these clashes, unrelated to the main storyline and able to occur anywhere in the world, are as grand as the finales of other games. However, they may seem ordinary encounters within the game itself.

7. Ghost Of Tsushima

Chock-Full Of Samurai Boss Fights

In the context of the Mongol attack on Japan, the video game “Ghost of Tsushima” places players in charge of Jin Sakai, a character whose goal is to regain his homeland as one of the few survivors in his clan. This game stands out by refining the established third-person open-world formula from games like “Assassin’s Creed” with its streamlined samurai combat system based on stances. These stances, which are tailored to manage specific enemies depending on the weapon used, contribute to making the combat in “Ghost of Tsushima” feel both strategic and rewarding.

Absolutely, positions matter significantly during the diverse battles with bosses that players will face throughout Jin’s adventure. While they might not attain the challenging peaks of a souls-like game, Jin’s bosses can prove quite formidable if players don’t take advantage of their blocking and evasion techniques.

6. The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Filled With Fun Boss Fights That Encourage Experimentation

In “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” players find themselves immersed in a vast open world ripe for exploration. At their leisure, they can wander Hyrule’s breathtaking landscapes, observe how it has evolved since “Breath of the Wild,” or head straight to key plot points. Along the way, they’ll encounter numerous bosses scattered throughout the game’s expansive map.

Of course, every adversary presents unique hurdles for players, making them utilize the game’s diverse skillset. For instance, players can merge weapons and equipment to produce unconventional gadgets, providing them with the freedom to explore different strategies when confronting an opponent.

5. Ashen

Baby’s First Soulslike

In 2018, one of A44’s standout titles, Ashen, was among the pioneers to transition soulslikes into expansive, open-world landscapes. Unlike the cramped, labyrinthine corridors and predetermined paths found in games like Dark Souls, players are encouraged to traverse and uncover vast, open environments, all beautifully rendered in a charming, cartoonish art style.

In the gameplay and narrative of Ashen, it’s evident that there are strong influences at play. The story follows a protagonist on a mission to restore light to a world shrouded in darkness. During this adventure, players will encounter numerous challenging enemies and bosses, as is typical for games in this genre. Despite being generally less difficult than other soulslikes, Ashen can still present a formidable challenge, particularly for those who are new to such games.

4. Rise Of The Ronin

Features Hard Samurai Boss Fights

In the Edo era of Japan, the story unfolds in “Ronin Ascension,” where players assume the role of a ronin amidst the turmoil caused by Western intrusion. Unlike Team Ninja’s previous excursion into the samurai milieu with “Nioh,” “Ronin Ascension” offers a more lenient gameplay experience, enabling players to adjust difficulty settings and other parameters, resulting in a ‘soulslite’ rather than a ‘soulslike’ game.

In other words, just because the game isn’t easy, it doesn’t automatically mean that its boss fights are a breeze. Players will need to get proficient with the diverse weapons available and employ a parrying system similar to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, which is crucial as it prevents players from simply dodging their way through the intense dueling boss fights in Rise of the Ronin.

3. Dragons Dogma 2

Players Will Encounter Monsters Galore

In the sequel titled “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” players take on the role of an Arisen – one chosen for battle against a Dragon. They journey through a world mirroring that of the first game, encountering various creatures along the way, from small goblins to towering giants.

Even with AI-assisted allies like Pawns, the game’s intense conflicts remain formidable obstacles to conquer. To emerge victorious, players must identify each monster’s vulnerabilities and ingeniously plan tactics for swift elimination.

Despite having AI companions such as Pawns by their side, the game’s thrilling battles are still tough nuts to crack. To win, players must learn the weaknesses of these monsters and strategize cleverly to quickly dispose of them.

2. Monster Hunter Wilds

Even More Monsters For Gamers To Take On

In Monster Hunter Wilds, as the title suggests, players venture into the untamed territories of the Forbidden Lands, where they pursue and vanquish colossal creatures – all in keeping with the tradition of the series. Capcom’s new installment in the franchise boasts several enhancements, such as simplified mechanics and the option for players to carry an additional weapon during a hunt.

Players have noticed that the alterations to the gameplay mechanics have resulted in a more accessible installment within the series, but this doesn’t imply it will be an easy ride according to Monster Hunter norms. In Wilds, monster hunts remain as thrilling and perilous as ever, ensuring players stay alert throughout their adventures.

1. Elden Ring

A Terrifying World Of Tough Bosses

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at FromSoftware’s Elden Ring – undeniably, it offers an unparalleled open-world adventure. In this game, I find myself stepping into The Lands Between, a fallen hero tainted by the loss of the Erdtree’s grace. What sets Elden Ring apart from its predecessors is the breathtaking expanse of its world – a vast, interconnected realm that invites exploration and discovery at every turn.

Newcomers to Elden Ring may be astonished by the vastness of its world, which seemingly expands with new, sprawling locations as one ventures further, leaving one feeling there’s always more to discover. Within this realm, players will encounter numerous perils. In the very beginning, they might even stumble upon a colossal horseman who can effortlessly obliterate them. The charm of the game lies in its setting, as it entices players to delve deeper and uncover better equipment to conquer that very same horseman again.

2025-03-26 07:35