Frustrating Boss Fights In Otherwise Great Soulslike Games

As a seasoned adventurer who’s braved many treacherous paths and faced formidable foes in my time, I must admit that some battles have left me more frustrated than others. One such encounter that still echoes in my memory is the fight against the Bed of Chaos from Dark Souls.

Due to the overwhelming popularity and influential gaming experience provided by FromSoftware’s Dark Souls series, fans who enjoy tough challenges have been eagerly awaiting a new take on this gameplay style. This demand has encouraged other developers to create their own versions of the genre, resulting in what is now known as the Souls-inspired or Soulslike games.

Many games have successfully captured the essential aspects that contribute to their widespread popularity. These could involve a somber and ominous environment, a focus on tough combat and resource allocation, or a puzzling narrative that demands thorough investigation. A significant aspect of this genre is also encounters with bosses, where strategy and patience often outweigh rapid button-pressing. On occasion, these battles can prove to be quite challenging. Here are some of the most exasperating bosses that players might face in otherwise excellent Soulslikes.

6 Flukemarm (Hollow Knight)

Proof That A Single Mechanic Can Be Infinitely Annoying

Frustrating Boss Fights In Otherwise Great Soulslike Games

Constantly swarms the player with flies.

In 2017, I stumbled upon an intriguing 2D Metroidvania titled Hollow Knight, crafted by the imaginative minds at Team Cherry. It carries a hint of eeriness that’s reminiscent of the Souls series, but with its unique charm. The combat is a test of my patience and precision, making every victory feel hard-earned and well-deserved. The game world is vast and interconnected, brimming with hidden secrets waiting to be uncovered. One such secret is a formidable boss: the elusive Flukemarm.

As I dive into this game, at first glance, she seems like an easy opponent. But soon enough, you’ll realize that her endless Flukefeys are not just mere annoyances. With the ability to take them down in a single strike, you might think the battle is simple. However, if you encounter the Flukemarm before building up your strength, you could find yourself in a prolonged, frustrating fight, even for seasoned Soulslike players like myself.

5 Lady Osakabe (Nioh 2)

An Annoying Fight Hampers A Beautiful Setting

Frustrating Boss Fights In Otherwise Great Soulslike Games

Keeping track of multiple heads that are all firing projectiles can be overwhelming.

Moving from Soulslikes set in dingy Medieval castles to the vibrant (yet lethal) world of Japanese yokai, Nioh 2 was Team Ninja’s second foray into this genre. Players accustomed to its formula will immediately find familiarity with this game’s combat, but the use of yokai powers and exploration of Sengoku era Japan provides a fresh twist. However, even these engaging elements can’t alleviate the frustration experienced by players when encountering Lady Osakabe.

In this visually striking conflict, set against the backdrop of a stormy rooftop, the adversary boasts an ominous and captivating appearance. However, the challenge lies in the fact that Osakabe, with its numerous heads, persistently launches projectiles. Focusing on one head leaves players oblivious to the others, making it tough to dodge incoming attacks. It becomes a monotonous and tiresome task to keep tabs on each head’s actions, detracting from an otherwise stunning spectacle.

4 Adyr, The Bereft Exile (Lords Of The Fallen 2023)

A Colossal Menace The Player Doesn’t Actually Fight

Players are swarmed with humanoid enemies instead of battling the boss.

In 2023, Lords of the Fallen was released as a revamp of the series after an underwhelming debut. It aimed to rectify past mistakes. With a sprawling, interconnected game world, numerous mechanically distinct adversaries and bosses, online capabilities, it undeniably lived up to the Soulslike genre more than its predecessor did.

Players encounter Adyr, the Forlorn Outcast, only when they reach the final boss. This demonic deity certainly fits the bill in terms of appearance. It’s a gigantic abomination that casts a dark shadow over the battlefield, reminiscent of a Lovecraftian horror. Regrettably, players must first fight through hordes of ordinary humanoid enemies for most of the battle, rather than engaging with the towering titan above them in a God of War-like fashion.

3 Afflicted Graverobber, Ancient Soldier Varg, And Cerah The Old Explorer (Dark Souls 2)

Of Course There’s A Gank Fight…

It takes a long time to separate the NPCs for a fair fight.

After the triumphs of games like Demon’s Souls and Dark Souls, there was high anticipation for a sequel, despite creator Hidetaka Miyazaki’s known reluctance to create direct follow-ups. The game that emerged was Dark Souls II, a title that continues to spark debate among fans even years after its release. While it has its flaws and criticisms, it boasts a vast world to discover, limitless character customization options, and some of the most stylish fashion in the entire series. Unfortunately, it suffers from an overabundance of enemies and repetitive boss battles.

Among several potential challenging encounters, two stand out: the Ancient Dragon and the Old Iron King. However, it’s worth noting that the boss fight some players found most aggravating might be the optional three NPC battle in the The Sunken Crown DLC. This confrontation can be frustrating due to the effort required to return after death, and the fact that their overly aggressive AI makes it difficult to inflict substantial damage without strategically separating them first by dodging around the room.

2 Dragon God (Demon’s Souls)

A Cool Boss Design Reduced To Running Around

Consists of running around the arena firing ballistae.

Back in 2009, I found myself diving headfirst into the world of the Souls series with Demon’s Souls. This grandpa of the franchise set a high standard for what this genre should embody, and it still stands tall as an example. The exquisite level design, captivating narrative, and diverse character building were all deserving of the stunning and meticulous remake by Bluepoint Games on PlayStation 5 in 2020. Despite being a bit shorter than its successors, Demon’s Souls more than compensates with an addictive, concentrated dose of Soulslike gameplay that keeps me coming back for more even after all these years.

Interestingly enough, each boss battle presents a unique challenge beyond mere death matches, such as The Tower Knight, The Adjudicator, Maiden Astraea, and even the mysterious Maiden in Stonefang Mine known as The Dragon God. While his design is among the coolest in the game, his final battle serves less as an epic duel and more like solving a puzzle. Activating two magical ballistae and attacking his chin a few times are the objectives here. It’s somewhat underwhelming since such a captivating character deserves a more engaging fight.

1 Bed Of Chaos (Dark Souls)

The Epitome Of Unfair Design

Hindered development resulted in an annoying and disappointing puzzle fight.

Hidetaka Miyazaki, president of FromSoft, tends to shy away from making direct sequels. Instead, he prefers games that carry on the essence of previous titles, while offering a fresh and unique gaming experience. This is evident when comparing 2009’s Demon’s Souls with Dark Souls, which was released in 2011. The game brilliantly expanded upon its predecessor, from the intricate interconnected world to the challenging and unforgettable boss battles. However, opinions vary among players, as some feel the game’s quality dips slightly after acquiring the Lordvessel from Anor Londo in the first half of the game.

In the opinion of many gamers, Lost Izalith is often seen as the game’s biggest letdown, largely due to time limitations during production. This is particularly noticeable when confronting the final boss of the region, commonly known as the Bed of Chaos. This writhing, multi-limbed demonic tree exposes many technical issues within the game, such as inconsistent hitboxes that can unexpectedly propel characters across the map. Instead of a challenging boss battle, it’s more like a frustrating puzzle, where two orbs must be destroyed before the boss can be damaged. It’s no surprise that players often resort to exploiting this encounter rather than playing it as intended.

2024-09-01 05:04