Bosses From Hell

With the next notable entry in the soulsborne genre only a short while away, this is a good time to look back at some of the incredible boss fights the developer which began it all has bestowed upon us so far. These battles are some of the most memorable moments in the games, whether you finally master them during a solo attempt or team up to tackle them with a co-op body.

While how difficult they are to fight might be the thing that gets the most attention, the general quality of these bosses is truly masterful. Whether it’s excellent combat design, great visuals, or the context in which you find yourself doing battle (or, as is often the case, a combination of all three), we’ve had some truly unforgettable bouts across this spiritually connected series. Ranking them was as hard as some of the fights themselves, but without further ado…

15 Flamelurker

Game Demon’s Souls Year 2009

Many bosses in games are on fire. Have you ever noticed that? It seems to be a theme, which makes sense in the Dark Souls games, obsessed with flames (metaphorical and literal) as they are. But hey, being on fire would make us angry too. Flamelurker is one of the first flame-covered monstrosities you encounter, and this gigantic diabolical ape-like demon is a wall for many players. Taking it down means you can probably handle anything else Demon’s Souls throws at you, though.

14 The Pursuer

Game Dark Souls 2 Year 2014

One of the coolest bosses you come up against in Dark Souls 2 is The Pursuer, a hulking knight in chunky black armour who you first meet when they are unceremoniously dropped down in front of you by an enormous bird. In Scholar Of The First Sin, the version of the game now available to most people, this boss lives up to its name, popping up pretty much constantly while you journey around the world, providing