Soulslikes worth playing just for their boss fights

Challenging and climactic boss fights are the core of every spiritual experience. Encountering formidable enemies that players have no idea how to defeat at first is part of the genre’s charm, but there’s more to it than just the difficulty. Soulslikes often combine these intense battles with rewarding exploration, flexible character building, and excellent item crafting, drawing players in for more than just boss encounters. Sometimes, however, the rest of the game doesn’t measure up.

While the following titles may not be the most complete or polished in the genre, their boss fights alone make it worth picking up the rest of the game. Unlike top-tier Soulslikes with numerous bosses, these games have their flaws, but still offer memorable battles that fans of the genre will appreciate.

6

Black Myth: Wukong

Fast-paced boss fights define the experience

Black Myth: Wukong is the latest action RPG to spark debate over whether it really fits the Souls mold. While it’s not as punishing as typical soul games and features more traditional action-oriented combat, it borrows several elements from the genre. These include a “bonfire” system, healing and stamina management, and a series of challenging bosses. However, due to its somewhat limited exploration and simplified structure, the game primarily revolves around boss fights, with a new encounter typically every 15 to 20 minutes.

When it comes to these boss fights, Black Myth: Wukong it really shines. With its fast-paced combat, a variety of spells and transformations, and expertly designed bosses with different attack patterns, each fight feels unique and almost without repetition. This boss-rush experience is executed so well that it’s worth playing the game just for these encounters.

5

Lords of the fallen

Fighting massive demons of all kinds

the original Lords of the fallen was one of the first action role-playing games to fully embrace the dark souls formula, although it offered little innovation beyond that. While the game overall lacked any distinguishing features, the boss fights alone could make the trip worth it. These imposing enemies, often oversized and lethally powerful, create an exhilarating experience as players carefully surround them, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Although many bosses in Lords of the fallen Although they share similar designs and combat strategies, the game’s unique sense of weight in the protagonist’s and enemies’ movements adds a layer of tension to each encounter. This risk-reward dynamic closely mirrors the original. dark souls games, making it a memorable experience for fans of the genre.

4

Remnant: From the ashes

The bosses steal the show in this post-apocalypse

Remnant: From the ashes It stands out as one of the first Soulslikes to focus heavily on gunplay while also incorporating randomly generated environments. While this procedural approach can sometimes result in levels that feel dull or empty compared to more meticulously designed areas, the game’s exceptional boss fights more than make up for it. These exciting encounters (along with the great rewards they offer) significantly enhance the overall experience.

Find bosses in Remnant: From the ashes It can be tricky, and many require players to discover hidden steps that aren’t immediately obvious and often require a guide. However, once located, bosses are diverse and often employ ranged attacks and maintain distance, forcing players to adapt and develop new strategies. It is in these moments that Residue feels refreshingly different from other soulslikes. The game really shines when played cooperatively with friends, transforming each boss battle into a memorable and exciting experience.

3

timesia

Smaller souls with memorable boss fights

timesia It’s a more compact indie soul, taking about ten hours to complete. Given its shorter play time, players should not expect the depth found in other games in terms of items or build variety. However, the combat is impressively responsive and fast-paced, and features an agile protagonist with surprising magical abilities. The game offers enough tools and tricks for players to quickly master them and feel competent in combat.

boss fights in timesia They are less numerous but much more impressive. Each boss encounter stands out as an exciting and fast-paced event. From agile fighters that match the player’s speed and unpredictability to massive creatures that require unique strategies or tricks to defeat, the variety keeps players on their toes. timesia emphasizes aggressive combat, and its quick boss battles are the highlight of the game, making this short adventure worth the trip.

2

steellifting

Unique setup allows for outstanding boss design

steellifting is an AA soulslike and the first foray into the genre from Spiders, a studio best known for traditional RPGs like fall of greed. While the overall experience may not be groundbreaking and can feel a little clunky at times, the game’s unique setting during the French Revolution, combined with an automaton uprising, offers intriguing boss designs that help captivate players.

As the human automaton Aegis, players will encounter all manner of mechanical enemies, such as the mechanized Centaur, created by war engineers for various purposes. Each of these encounters demands full attention and mastery of the game’s combat system. Although steellifting It may not reach the heights of Lies of PThere’s a deep sense of satisfaction in overcoming huge, hulking bosses (often three times the size of Aegis) in iconic settings like the Bastille Fortress.

1

dark sides 3

Hunt not only the seven deadly sins but also other nasty demons

dark sides 3 marked Gunfire Games’ first attempt at incorporating soul-like elements, which they later refined in the Residue series. As such, it is not surprising that dark sides 3 It feels like a transitional game, caught between the roots of the game’s action. dark sides series and some distinctive soul-like elements, which can sometimes seem forced and unnecessary. However, the game’s premise, where players hunt the Seven Deadly Sins as Fury, lends itself to some truly memorable boss encounters.

Battles against enormous angels and demons, as well as iconic incarnations of the seven deadly sins, such as envy, sloth, lust and pride, are exciting thanks to their distinctive designs and engaging combat mechanics. While dark sides 3 It may not be the strongest entry in its series or the soul genre, the satisfaction of defeating such notorious enemies makes it a worthwhile experience in its own right.