5) Boss Name: The Four Kings
Times Died: 2 (three including not wearing the Covenant of Artorias the first time)
Frustration -o- Meter: 9/10
There are few boss battles in Dark Souls that chill me to the bone like the Four Kings. While other bosses have more interesting mechanics or striking environments, there is something totally unnerving about the black landscape where the battle takes place. This is indeed the Abyss, and the players knows it.
This fight asks one simple question to the player; how quickly can you do damage? If the answer is not enough, the player will find himself overwhelmed by definitely more than Four Kings, and he will be forced to run and maneuver through the endless darkness in search of solace where there clearly is none. This makes the player play on edge, restless and aggressive, willing to take damage as long as he can deal it back, making it fundamentally different than most Dark Souls encounters. This further caters to the bleak setting, all parts thematically working together to convince the player it is in his best interest that he leave as soon as possible. Unfortunately, only the most durable and hard-hitting warriors are likely to survive this grim and intense battle.
Times Died: 2 (three including not wearing the Covenant of Artorias the first time)
Frustration -o- Meter: 9/10
There are few boss battles in Dark Souls that chill me to the bone like the Four Kings. While other bosses have more interesting mechanics or striking environments, there is something totally unnerving about the black landscape where the battle takes place. This is indeed the Abyss, and the players knows it.
This fight asks one simple question to the player; how quickly can you do damage? If the answer is not enough, the player will find himself overwhelmed by definitely more than Four Kings, and he will be forced to run and maneuver through the endless darkness in search of solace where there clearly is none. This makes the player play on edge, restless and aggressive, willing to take damage as long as he can deal it back, making it fundamentally different than most Dark Souls encounters. This further caters to the bleak setting, all parts thematically working together to convince the player it is in his best interest that he leave as soon as possible. Unfortunately, only the most durable and hard-hitting warriors are likely to survive this grim and intense battle.
4) Boss Name: Great Grey Wolf Sif
Times Died: 10 (yes, that's 10)
Frustration -o- Meter: 7.5/10
Sif, in many ways the poster boy for Dark Souls, is one of the saddest and challenging bosses you will encounter. While I believe on my first play through I encountered him too early, his mix of power, range, and mobility can be hard to counter no matter your level. Getting close and underneath him can pose some challenge, and even then the player must battle some bad camera controls to stay out of trouble, one of the few downsides to this boss.
There's no tricks in the Sif fight; it's a straight one-on-one duel in a wide open space, the gravestone of Artorias himself the only environmental obstacle to maneuver around, and that's the reason it's so compelling. Sif is a great boss because he's a proud and brave warrior, fighting for no other reason other than to protect his master's grave. The game forces the player to think about what he's doing and why, pecking him with questions about his role in the world and those who oppose him. The music takes a sorrowful tone, and the gloomy mist from the forest around you points to this idea that what is happening is not necessarily noble. The Sif fight is filled with raw emotion and is a great climax to the mysterious and moody area of Darkroot Garden.
Times Died: 10 (yes, that's 10)
Frustration -o- Meter: 7.5/10
Sif, in many ways the poster boy for Dark Souls, is one of the saddest and challenging bosses you will encounter. While I believe on my first play through I encountered him too early, his mix of power, range, and mobility can be hard to counter no matter your level. Getting close and underneath him can pose some challenge, and even then the player must battle some bad camera controls to stay out of trouble, one of the few downsides to this boss.
There's no tricks in the Sif fight; it's a straight one-on-one duel in a wide open space, the gravestone of Artorias himself the only environmental obstacle to maneuver around, and that's the reason it's so compelling. Sif is a great boss because he's a proud and brave warrior, fighting for no other reason other than to protect his master's grave. The game forces the player to think about what he's doing and why, pecking him with questions about his role in the world and those who oppose him. The music takes a sorrowful tone, and the gloomy mist from the forest around you points to this idea that what is happening is not necessarily noble. The Sif fight is filled with raw emotion and is a great climax to the mysterious and moody area of Darkroot Garden.
3) Boss Name: Gwyn, Lord of Cinder
Times Died: 5
Frustration -o- Meter: 9/10
As expected, Gwyn is the final boss for Dark Souls, and he is absolutely everything the game has cracked him up to be. Extremely aggressive and wielding a long flaming sword, he flies around the cavern you duel in with almost limitless stamina. His combos are fast-landing and last for days, albeit they are susceptible to a good parry if you've practiced that sort of thing (which yours truly hadn't).
Unlike most final bosses from other games, there is little to uncover or understand about Gwyn. The battle is a simple yet challenging duel between the player and probably the most important figure of the entire Souls series. Fromsoft strikes a great balance between allowing the epic-ness of the fight to be made clear to the player without stroking his ego with grandiose game mechanics or fancy gimmicks. This fight is elegantly straightforward with the player only having to worry about his one opponent and almost no environmental hazards except for the cavern's stalagmites, which offer a safe place to recover stamina or chug some Estus. Your reward for victory? It is the right to link the flame and continue the Age of Fire, or turn your back on it and plunge the world into darkness.
Times Died: 5
Frustration -o- Meter: 9/10
As expected, Gwyn is the final boss for Dark Souls, and he is absolutely everything the game has cracked him up to be. Extremely aggressive and wielding a long flaming sword, he flies around the cavern you duel in with almost limitless stamina. His combos are fast-landing and last for days, albeit they are susceptible to a good parry if you've practiced that sort of thing (which yours truly hadn't).
Unlike most final bosses from other games, there is little to uncover or understand about Gwyn. The battle is a simple yet challenging duel between the player and probably the most important figure of the entire Souls series. Fromsoft strikes a great balance between allowing the epic-ness of the fight to be made clear to the player without stroking his ego with grandiose game mechanics or fancy gimmicks. This fight is elegantly straightforward with the player only having to worry about his one opponent and almost no environmental hazards except for the cavern's stalagmites, which offer a safe place to recover stamina or chug some Estus. Your reward for victory? It is the right to link the flame and continue the Age of Fire, or turn your back on it and plunge the world into darkness.
2) Boss Name: Gargoyle
Times Died: 0
Frustration -o- Meter: 6.5/10
While the Asylum and Taurus Demons can be easily exploited, the Gargoyles represent the first major hurdle and difficulty spike in the game. Fought atop the sloping roof of the Undead Parish that houses the First Bell of Awakening, the Gargoyles can be a massive challenge to first-time players, and it is not by accident that both the Firelink Shrine and Andre of Astora (a blacksmith) are nearby for support. Solarie's and Lautrec's summoning sign also lay just outside the fog wall.
While previous bosses may have looked more imposing, defeating the Gargoyles is no small feat. They are armed with giant halberds, have a vicious tail sweep, and can breath fire in addition to being able to fly for short periods of time. Much to the player's disbelief, when he gets his opponent down to half health, another Gargoyle will spawn, making the fight twice as difficult. Dripping with atmosphere and lore, the Gargoyles are one of the finest fights in Dark Souls and represent the first major plot point of the game. If the player has determined to get this far, he will almost certainly see the whole game out. That is, unless, he has significant problems with...
Times Died: 0
Frustration -o- Meter: 6.5/10
While the Asylum and Taurus Demons can be easily exploited, the Gargoyles represent the first major hurdle and difficulty spike in the game. Fought atop the sloping roof of the Undead Parish that houses the First Bell of Awakening, the Gargoyles can be a massive challenge to first-time players, and it is not by accident that both the Firelink Shrine and Andre of Astora (a blacksmith) are nearby for support. Solarie's and Lautrec's summoning sign also lay just outside the fog wall.
While previous bosses may have looked more imposing, defeating the Gargoyles is no small feat. They are armed with giant halberds, have a vicious tail sweep, and can breath fire in addition to being able to fly for short periods of time. Much to the player's disbelief, when he gets his opponent down to half health, another Gargoyle will spawn, making the fight twice as difficult. Dripping with atmosphere and lore, the Gargoyles are one of the finest fights in Dark Souls and represent the first major plot point of the game. If the player has determined to get this far, he will almost certainly see the whole game out. That is, unless, he has significant problems with...
1) Boss Name: Dragon Slayer Ornstein and Executioner Smough
Times Died: 7
Frustration -o- Meter: 11/10
Ok, I want with the cliche choice, but can you blame me? Ornstein and Smough simply represent the pinacle of Dark Souls balance and story-telling. The Guardians of the Lord Vessel, Ornstein and his tag-teaming larger companion will smash, spear, and destroy anything in their way. The game strikes a simple and beautiful balance in the gameplay between the two characters in a way unmatched in the rest of the series. The music is brilliant, and overall it's hard to find anything wrong with this fight. This is Dark Souls at its best.
Times Died: 7
Frustration -o- Meter: 11/10
Ok, I want with the cliche choice, but can you blame me? Ornstein and Smough simply represent the pinacle of Dark Souls balance and story-telling. The Guardians of the Lord Vessel, Ornstein and his tag-teaming larger companion will smash, spear, and destroy anything in their way. The game strikes a simple and beautiful balance in the gameplay between the two characters in a way unmatched in the rest of the series. The music is brilliant, and overall it's hard to find anything wrong with this fight. This is Dark Souls at its best.