It's pretty hard to believe that Dark Souls is now ten years old. A true modern classic, this 2011 action RPG reintroduced the general public to a devilishly old-school difficulty level, filled with danger zones and monstrously difficult boss encounters. Developer From Software has been around since the mid-'90s, churning out ambitious, weird, and ambitiously weird titles like the Armored Core and King's Field series alongside cult classics like Metal Wolf Chaos and Chromehounds. However, it was arguably 2009's Demon's Souls that really put the company on the map, before Dark Souls propelled it into last name rank. Following the monumental success of Dark Souls, From Software has made a name for itself developing hardcore action RPGs, including two Dark Souls sequels alongside Bloodborne, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and the highly anticipated Elden Ring. However, it's hard to say if all of this would have been possible without the transformative effect of Dark Souls. To this day, it remains one of the best and most memorable games in From Software's back catalogue. So, in celebration of the game's XNUMXth anniversary, let's look back at some of the most iconic bosses that have pushed our skills to the absolute limit.
Demon Goat
While this isn't the first boss Dark Souls has thrown at you, the demon Capra represented the game's first major hurdle for many players. And the strangest thing is that the boss itself is not too difficult. Rather, it's the arena you fight in and the company she keeps. As you walk through the wall of mist in Demon Capra's lair, you only have a few milliseconds to react to a pair of undead dogs immediately charging at you. This initial impact is usually sustained by the boss himself performing a lethal attack that will deplete most of your health bar. If you managed to survive this brutal introduction, then you are well aware of the small size of the Demon Capra arena. Essentially, it's a rectangular box with a set of stairs on the side, which you can put to good use as you dash to perform a jump attack on the boss (while hopefully taking out one or both, two dogs). . The demon Capra is certainly not the most difficult boss of Dark Souls, but it is a sinistre introduction to the game where the conception of the levels of the game cannot be served by the bosses plus during those days that do not devraient him. be.
Yawning Dragon
After defeating the demon Capra and traversing the wretched depths, you come across one of the most grotesque creatures in the entire series. The Gaping Dragon is huge and can easily take you down with its claws, tail, and exposed ribcage. The Gaping Dragon is best handled by standing on the back, while trying to dock the tail to minimize the risk of being hit. It's not a foolproof strategy, however, as the creature possesses the ability to literally vomit corrosive bile that spreads to cover a substantial portion of the arena. Players had to be level enough for this boss fight, as the Gaping Dragon's health bar is as high as the creature itself. The boss telegraphs his attacks pretty generously, giving you plenty of time to dodge them, but one miss is usually all it takes to send players back to the bonfire.
Chaos Witch Quelaag
You've just descended through the treacherous Blighttown, one of the trickiest areas in the entire Dark Souls series, and traversed the toxic swamp at its base. What awaits you next is a fire-breathing human/spider hybrid. Yeah, it's not the prettiest place to be. Possibly the most difficult boss while fighting her, Chaos Witch Quelaag is left with the second of the two Bells of Awakening required to progress to Dark Souls Act 2: The Trap-Filled Fortress of Sen and the Shining City. Anor Londo beyond. . Quelaag's regular attacks aren't too painful to dodge, especially if you've gotten better at avoiding attacks with your dodge's invincibility frames. However, her ability to spit fire and pour lava onto the arena floor can greatly diminish the areas she can safely move through. And without decent fire resistance, these attacks can wipe out her health in no time.
Great Gray Wolf Sif
A boss that is as difficult as it is harrowing, the fight against Sif demands the player on many levels. Sif wields the two-handed sword of his former master, whose tomb she seems to protect from you. This means you should expect large-scale attacks that cover a large portion of the arena, and knowing how to dodge attacks effectively was key to victory in the fight against Sif, as her Swordfish attacks drained tons of stamina. when they got blocked. with a shield. However, arguably the most heartbreaking part of fighting Sif was having to take the poor dog down. When his health is extremely low, Sif's attacks become almost listless and he begins to limp helplessly in the arena. The scene is even more impactful if you complete the Dark Souls DLC expansion before fighting Sif, as the content gives you a chance to save Sif in the past, when she was just a wolf cub, something she remembers when she comes back to you. find in the future. It's a tragic send-off for one of the coolest bosses in Dark Souls and the best guy out of it.
Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough
The Guardians of the Radiant City of Anor Londo, Ornstein, and Smough represent one of the toughest challenges in Dark Souls, and arguably the most iconic. Ornstein tries to corner him with his lightning lance and quick moves, while Smough charges with his devastating hammer. Together, the pair make a brutally effective team as they battle through any healing window or single attack. However, when you manage to defeat one of these titans, the fight is far from over. As phase two progresses, the surviving warrior will drain the life force from the other's remains, becoming considerably stronger in the process. If Ornstein is the remaining fighter, he will grow absurdly tall and his attacks will be even more powerful. If it's Smough, his attacks are imbued with the lightning that turned his partner into a threat. Taking down Ornstein and Smough is no small feat, especially if you manage to do it yourself without any player being summoned to help you out in co-op. The pair don't go down without a serious fight, however, effectively maintaining control of Dark Souls' final act and one of its most useful items: the Lordvessel, which allows you to warp between certain bonfires.
Its Gravelord
Gravelord Nito, lord of the tombs. Now there is a title that commands respect. And as a brawl boss, he's no slouch either. You fight Nito in the innermost depths of the Giants' Tomb, and his appearance leaves a lasting impression. Essentially a mass of skeletons clad in black, this boss's giant sword is also (unsurprisingly) made of sharp bones. However, Nito has more tricks up his sleeve than this simple bony sword. He can use dark area of effect sorcery to keep you at bay, while also summoning Skeleton Soldiers to do his dirty work for him. While Nito's hideously cool appearance is certainly his most iconic trait, the boss is very good at countering melee-based playstyles, which means you may need to level the playing field with his own sorceries or pyromancy, if he has any.
Gwyn, Lord of the Ashes
In what would become something of a serial lore, Dark Souls' final boss isn't actually the most difficult, but it's certainly the most moving, thanks in no small part to the melancholic piano melody throughout the battle. As Lord of Cinder, Gwyn is expected to launch fire-based attacks, most of which are with his flaming sword. But he also has a nasty grappling hook attack that can ruin your attempt if you don't give him the due respect. Gwyn doesn't go down easily, but when he does, the fight becomes a cornerstone of reflection on your journey through the dreary world of Lordran. The final threat has been reversed, and all that remains is to sacrifice himself to carry on Gwyn's legacy, or extinguish the First Flame forever, ushering in a new Dark Age.
Knight Artorias
There are a decent number of bosses in the Artorias of the Abyss DLC for Dark Souls, most of which are incredibly difficult and extremely impressive settings. But it's perhaps the DLC's namesake that offers the most memorable challenge not just in the expansion, but arguably in the entire game. Consumed by the Abyss, Artorias is ruthlessly fast on the draw, leaving you with little downtime between his high-damage attacks. In fact, with so little time to attack or heal yourself, Knight Artorias's boss fight demands near perfection from the player, a big reason why DLC shouldn't be tackled until you get it. the game. Artorias himself exacerbates the whole process at half his health, as he begins desperately unleashing everything he has to send you back to the last bonfire you ever trusted. Beating the knight is one of the toughest challenges in Dark Souls, but it's very rewarding when you manage to defeat him for good. Today's best Dark Souls Remastered deals