Hardest Bosses In Video Game History That Pack A Lot Of Punch

When we ponder the subject of “difficult video games” and overly hard-to-defeat bosses, FromSoftware’s legendary reputation is what comes to mind, and to be honest, this is the only video game developer that consistently makes hard games on purpose, and ends up doing it quite well too. Frankly, the entirety of this list could be filled up by bosses from titles by FromSoftware, but I’ve tried to keep it more diverse as to showcase some other foes of interest out there as well.

These specific enemies may put you to your paces more than you’d like to admit, but the sense of accomplishment you achieve when you finally happen to beat them is simply unrivaled. Oh, and if you like a good challenge anyway, keep on reading for your next game recommendation.

Better Toughen Up For These Fights; It’s No Joke

Since the following entries have been hand-picked through personal experience, feel free to contribute to the list down in the comments section if you feel I missed out on some terrific bosses. 

1. Orphan Of Kos From Bloodborne

Talking about difficult video games and hard boss fights and not mentioning Bloodborne would be a severe injustice to the craft of FromSoftware. Funnily enough, it’s not just one boss fight in this game that deserves mention, but for diversity’s sake, I just went ahead and enlisted the singular toughest one—Orphan of Kos from Bloodborne’s The Old Hunters DLC. Good God, what a nightmare this is. 

The Old Hunters outclasses the base game, with the final boss fight being one of the reasons why. The Orphan of Kos battle is not for the faint of heart, in terms of not just difficulty, but the themes that go on display, and the background of the boss itself. I suggest reading up about it over at Bloodborne Fandom. There’s a lot more to this foe than you think. 

2. Isshin The Sword Saint From Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Some say FromSoftware peaked with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and deep down in my heart, I hold that to be true. What this title brings to the table is something no other game even comes close to, all the way from your first encounter with an Ashina militant right down to Isshin the Sword Saint—the final boss of the game. 

If I have to be unbiased for a minute, everything about Isshin is legendary. His origination, his voice lines, specifically the “Hesitation is defeat” quote, his get-up, and even the weapons he employs against us, including a “semi-automatic” flintlock pistol. I mean, he erupts from his grandson’s neck, cutting him open in the process, so how more surprising can that gun possibly get? 

But yes, you get the idea. It will take you a fair bit of time before you can best Isshin, and I mean, quite a bit of time. 

3. Hades From Hades (No Pun Here)

Supergiant Games’ Hades from 2020 is a fantastic game in ways more than one, even winning the Best Indie award in the year it came out at the TGA, followed by bagging the Game of the Year distinction at the Game Developers Choice (GDC). The final boss of the game, a roguelike in which you play as Zagreus — Hades’ son — is, well, you guessed it, Hades himself, who is extremely tough and, ironically, takes no prisoners in this bout.

The fight is incredibly difficult and demands a strong command on reflexes and skills acquired over the course of your gameplay. It’s going to put you in a tough spot, I’ll tell you that. 

4. Malenia, Blade Of Miquella From Elden Ring

Elden Ring shot up in popularity for various reasons, being the magnum opus of FromSoftware, with the Malenia boss fight sending shockwaves across the world for its ungodly difficulty. This particular gal gives you a tough time even when you have the best Elden Ring NG+ weapons, and is simply no slowpoke no matter how good of a player you are. 

Find her near the Haligtree Roots Site of Grace, and prepare yourself for a mighty clash. 

5. Queen Sigrun From God Of War  

The God of War reboot from 2018 is the perfect game for casual players, but it can be brutally hard when it needs to be. The queen of the Valkyries, Sigrun, is one such foe that tests your mettle dramatically, considering you find her way into the title’s end-game, and still likely have a super tough time. A similarly leveled enemy is found in the game’s sequel — God of War Ragnarok — called Gna, but in my personal experience, she doesn’t have the same viciousness as Sigrun. 

Easily one of the hardest bosses in modern-day gaming. 

6. Erymanthian Boar From Assassin’s Creed Odyssey 

Lastly, and this might come as a surprise for those who haven’t played it, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey has this wild ride of a boss fight in the name of Erymanthian Boar, which is apparently a pig with a bad case of flatulence. You might think to yourself that this noise is coming from elsewhere, but no, it’s just the boar that you’re trying to get the best of in-game. Absolutely ridiculous.