In the iconic Soulsborne series, bosses are not just adversaries but significant milestones that test our resolve, often leaving us in exasperation as we chant “just one more attempt!”Their designs and mechanisms serve to challenge players, fostering perseverance and mastery throughout the journey.
The essence of these encounters ranges from ancient deities to legendary heroes, artfully embedding vibrant lore into the gaming experience. Each confrontation compels us to elevate our skills and adapt to overwhelming odds. However, not every boss lives up to the high expectations set by predecessors, with some falling into the trap of poorly designed multi-phase battles that can stretch the encounter unnecessarily.
This article delves into some of the most frustrating multi-phase bosses found across the Soulsborne games, focusing exclusively on Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls 1-3, and Bloodborne. Expect plenty of eye-rolls and sighs as we explore these lackluster encounters.
10 Curse-Rotted Greatwood
That’s One Overgrown Weed
The Curse-Rotted Greatwood takes the tenth spot due to its unique design, though it falters on several fronts. Known for its challenging bosses, Dark Souls III features this health-deficient tree, which only has vulnerabilities in its pustules. Once these are destroyed, players drop through the floor into its second phase.
Aside from the cheap enemies that complicate the fight, the primary challenge lies in waiting for openings while dodging its attacks. Despite being an optional encounter, this protracted battle can feel tedious.
9 Micolash, Host of the Nightmare
Level 99 Agility
Micolash presents an intriguing theme but is let down by frustrating execution. Much of the encounter involves navigating hallways and dodging respawning enemies rather than directly engaging this elusive foe.
While Micolash has memorable voice lines, the lackluster mechanics diminish the experience, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging puzzle. His unique design does earn him extra points, however, thanks to a visually striking head cage.
8 Dragon God
Hide and Seek: Dragon Style
Famed for its unconventional bosses, Demon’s Souls offers the Dragon God, whose appearance is overshadowed by a lackluster battle experience. The encounter mainly involves breaking rubble and pressing buttons, falling short of the epic showdown expected.
7 Deacons of the Deep
You Can Keep The Doll
This battle pits players against a horde of evil priests, and while it appears challenging, it quickly devolves into chaos amid the sheer volume of enemies present. Victory hinges on locating the glowing red deacon, leading to further mobbing antics as more foes join the fray, rendering this fight a tedious test of patience.
6 Royal Rat Authority
Rabid, Toxic Rats… Lovely
This encounter falls prey to a familiar trope of bosses accompanied by numerous mobs, complicating the fight unnecessarily. As you struggle with the camera angles inherent to Dark Souls 2, Royal Rat Authority himself becomes less of a challenge than the swarm of toxic rats attacking from all sides.
5 The Witch of Hemwick
Double, Double, Toil And Trouble
Multi-phase bosses can be thrilling, yet in this case, they simply frustrate. After defeating the first witch, players are met with a second that offers no innovative mechanics or enthralling gameplay. The atmosphere and aesthetic hold promise, but the overall experience falls flat due to repetitive and unexciting combat.
4 Twin Dragonriders
Dragonriders? Where Are The Dragons?
The Dragonriders are notorious for being a letdown right from their introduction. Their clunky mechanics and uninspired battle design result in a dull dueling experience, as players can easily exploit the arena to achieve victory against two underwhelming foes.
3 Maneaters
Fly, Fly, Fly Away.
Another duo of bosses follows the exhausting trend of duplicate encounters, a hallmark of mediocrity. Unlike the more creative challenges found in past titles, the Maneaters fail to bring unique mechanics to the table, posing more of a nuisance than a challenge, especially when environmental hazards become the primary annoyance.
2 Celestial Emissary
Bobbleheads From The Stars
Among the boss lineup in Bloodborne, the Celestial Emissary stands out for all the wrong reasons. Its unoriginal premise and excessively easy mechanics make this encounter seem more like a joke than a test of skill. As players begin the fight, confusing elements arise as they sort through minions to identify the real threat—only to discover an unimpressive foe at the end.
1 Bed of Chaos
The Legendary Marathon Run-Back
Among the few multi-stage bosses in Dark Souls, the Bed of Chaos consistently earns a place on every list of worst bosses. Players detest it for its convoluted layout and tedious mechanics. The long trek back through Lost Izalith combined with its frustrating attacks and environmental hazards make this encounter more of a test of patience than skill.
With only one HP and three distinct phases, it begs the question: what were the developers thinking? The Bed of Chaos signifies one of the most irritating boss experiences, comparable to its counterpart, the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, as they both define a frustrating design philosophy.
Leave a Reply ▼