Soulslikes Worth Playing Just For Their Boss Fights

As a seasoned veteran of the soulslike genre, I can confidently say that each of these games offers a unique and exhilarating experience for fans of challenging combat and memorable boss battles.

At the core of every soulslike game lies the thrill of tough, dramatic showdowns with formidable adversaries, which is one of the genre’s unique appeals. Initially baffling enemies that players struggle to defeat add charm to the genre, but it’s not solely about the challenge. Soulslikes offer rewarding exploration, customizable character development, and excellent loot collection, enticing players beyond just their boss battles. However, on occasion, other aspects of the game might fall short compared to these exciting elements.

Although these game titles might not be the most sophisticated or perfect within their genre, the thrilling boss fights make it a delight to continue playing the entire game. Compared to other top-ranking soulslikes featuring numerous challenging bosses, these games have their share of flaws. However, they still provide battles that fans of the genre will remember fondly.

6 Black Myth: Wukong

Fast-Paced Boss Fights Define The Experience

The newly released game titled “Black Myth: Wukong” has ignited discussions about whether it genuinely falls under the soulslike genre category. Although it’s not as harshly difficult as traditional soulslike games and focuses more on conventional action-style battles, it incorporates aspects reminiscent of the genre. These include a “bonfire” system, careful resource management for healing and stamina, and a variety of demanding bosses. However, due to its relatively limited exploration and simplified design, the game predominantly centers around boss fights, offering a new challenge approximately every 15 to 20 minutes.

In terms of challenging boss battles, Black Myth: Wukong truly excels. Its rapid-fire combat, array of spells and transformations, and carefully crafted bosses with individual attack patterns make each fight feel fresh and different. The way these boss encounters are put together is so skillfully done that the game becomes a must-play just for these intense battles.

5 Lords Of The Fallen

Battling Massive Demons Of All Kinds

Initially, “Lords of the Fallen” was among the first action role-playing games to fully adopt the “Dark Souls” style, but it didn’t bring much new to the table beyond that. Although the game as a whole wasn’t particularly unique, its boss battles were compelling enough to justify the journey. These formidable adversaries, frequently massive and incredibly powerful, provide an exciting challenge as players strategically maneuver around them, seeking the opportune moment to attack.

In Lords of the Fallen, even though various bosses have similar appearances and battle tactics, the game stands out with its realistic feeling of weight in character and enemy movements, intensifying each confrontation. This balancing act between risk and reward is reminiscent of the original Dark Souls series, creating an immersive experience for those who appreciate this genre.

4 Remnant: From The Ashes

Bosses Steal The Spotlight In This Post-Apocalypse

From the Ashes: Remnant distinguishes itself as one of the initial soul-like games emphasizing gunplay, alongside randomly generated landscapes. Occasionally, the procedural method may lead to levels that appear uninspired or sparse compared to carefully crafted zones. However, the game’s remarkable boss battles more than compensate for this, offering an exhilarating experience (and attractive rewards) that greatly improve the overall playthrough.

Navigating the bosses in “Remnant: From the Ashes” can be challenging, as they often require players to uncover not-so-obvious steps that aren’t immediately clear, sometimes necessitating help from a guide. But once you find them, these bosses are diverse and usually utilize ranged attacks to keep their distance. This compels players to think on their feet and devise new strategies. It’s during these moments that “Remnant” stands out as unique compared to other games in its genre. The game truly excels when played together with friends, turning each boss battle into a thrilling, unforgettable experience.

3 Thymesia

Smaller Soulslike With Memorable Boss Fights

Thymesia can be described as a streamlined indie soulslike game, typically finished within approximately ten hours of playtime. Unlike other games, it may not offer the extensive range of items or character build options you might expect. Yet, its combat system is remarkably swift and dynamic, showcasing a nimble protagonist with captivating magical abilities. The game provides a suitable set of tools for players to grasp quickly and become confident in combat situations.

In the game Thymesia, each boss confrontation is exceptional and exhilarating, setting it apart from other games. The variety of boss types, ranging from swift adversaries that mirror the player’s agility and unpredictability to colossal foes demanding innovative strategies or special tactics, keeps gamers engaged. Combat in Thymesia is characterized by its aggression, and the rapid-fire boss battles are undeniably the game’s most striking feature, ensuring that this short journey is worth every step taken.

2 Steelrising

Unique Setting Allows For Standout Boss Design

Steelrising is a soulslike game in the AA category, marking Spiders Studio’s first foray into this genre, as they are more famously recognized for their work on traditional RPGs like Greedfall. Although the overall gaming experience might not be revolutionary and can occasionally feel somewhat cumbersome, the game’s distinctive setting during the French Revolution alongside an automaton uprising provides fascinating boss designs that keep players hooked.

As the character Aegis, a humanoid robot, players will face various mechanical adversaries, such as the mechanized Centaur, created by war engineers for diverse uses. Each confrontation necessitates undivided focus and proficiency in the game’s combat mechanics. While Steelrising may not achieve the peaks of Lies of P, there is a profound feeling of accomplishment in defeating colossal, towering bosses—many standing three times taller than Aegis—in iconic settings like the Bastille fortress.

1 Darksiders 3

Hunt Not Only The Seven Deadly Sins But Other Nasty Demons

In “Darksiders 3”, Gunfire Games initially endeavored to blend elements from the soulslike genre, a skill they further developed in the “Remnant” series. Consequently, “Darksiders 3” presents as a transitional game, exhibiting characteristics that straddle the action-packed foundation of the “Darksiders” franchise and certain soulslike features, which at moments appear forced or superfluous. Yet, the game’s narrative, in which players pursue the Seven Deadly Sins as Fury, leads to some exceptionally captivating boss battles.

In Darksiders 3, you’ll find yourself fighting epic battles against colossal Angels and Demons, as well as emblematic representations of the Seven Deadly Sins, such as Envy, Sloth, Lust, and Pride. Their unique designs and captivating combat mechanics make these encounters thrilling. Although Darksiders 3 might not be the most outstanding game in its series or the soulslike genre, the sheer pleasure of defeating such infamous adversaries makes it a rewarding experience on its own merits.

2024-08-24 14:33