The success and quality of Dark Souls 2 may be a point of contention among fans of the hardcore series, but few can deny that From Software did a great job of making some very unique and memorable bosses for the game. Being the second game in a genre defining series, expectations were high for the sequel to Dark Souls, and although From Software provided fans with a game that has as many low points as it does high, the high points are very cool. These bosses are so memorable because they exceed expectations in terms of both visual design and mechanical design.
For those unaware, Dark Souls 2 featured 32 bosses including ones from the numerous downloadable content areas. While some of these were straight up just rehashes of Dark Souls bosses like the Old Dragonslayer or the Belfry Gargoyles or even bosses from earlier in the game returning with color palette swaps or in greater numbers, others turned out to be either very unique and compelling boss fights which add to the series' reputation for making astounding and challenging bosses. Most of these bosses found ways to keep players on their toes aside from simply having large reaches and aggressive movesets.
The Pursuer
The Pursuer is so memorable because it is, in a way, the first boss encountered in the game. While traversing the Forest of Fallen Giants, there is a platform which on which the Pursuer can be found. Upon climbing up to this platform, the Pursuer flies overhead being carried by something, and then is dropped onto the platform with the player in a very menacing way. It leaves if the player is unable to kill it fast enough, but is encountered again as an actual boss after defeating the Last Giant. The Pursuer shows up several other times throughout the game as well, each time more powerful and deadly than the last, and can drop a very powerful weapon.
Executioner's Chariot
The Executioner's Chariot is a great example of a boss whose moveset is not the real threat. In this case, the area and the boss' non-conventional tactics pose the real danger. The boss room consists of a large circular hallway with small nooks on either side. The chariot simply runs circles around this hallway, and the player must utilize the nooks in order to avoid death by trampling. Upon traversing far enough, a lever can be pulled which drops a gate, stopping the chariot in its tracks and killing the rider, and then the two headed horse is the actual boss the player fights. This boss is certainly memorable for its unique design and use of clever tactics.
The Skeleton Lords
The Skeleton Lords themselves are weak and relatively easy to defeat, so long as the player keeps their wits about them and doesn't let their numbers and ranged attacks get the best of them. What makes this skeletal trio so memorable is what happens after they die. Each Skeleton Lord the player defeats spawns several Skeletons which greatly outnumber the player and attempt to surround them. If the player kills all the Skeleton Lords too quickly, they could easily be overrun. To make things more interesting, each Skeleton Lord summons a different number and type of Skeleton depending on their weapon, meaning the player can strategize and kill certain Lords first.
Old Iron King
The Old Iron King has a long list of things that make him memorable, but perhaps at the forefront of that list would be how many times some players had to fight him. Standing waist deep in literal lava, this Balrog-esque monarch is faced on a stone platform floating in the lava in front of him. To the dismay of any clumsy players, there are also several holes dotted throughout this platform. The Old Iron King's sweeping attacks are difficult to dodge and can easily push players off the platform or into a hole towards their unpleasant and fiery demise. This particular boss also has some of the coolest lore of any from Dark Souls 2, a topic worth looking into.
Demon of Song
The Demon of Song is not a particularly difficult boss by Dark Souls standards, but makes the list due to how utterly terrifying and disgusting it is visually. The Dark Souls franchise has its fair share of disturbing bosses, but this monstrosity takes things to another level. Resembling some kind of a frog with human like arms and a face which can be hidden by a protective layer of skin, most players wish they could forget this thing. To make matters worse, it can only be damaged by attacking its face and arms, meaning that it is nearly impervious to damage when it is in its protective stance.
Darklurker
The Darklurker is Dark Souls 2's secret boss, and he lives up to that title. In order to fight him, the player must join the Pilgrims of the Dark covenant and light all three fires in the three Dark Old Zones. These are challenging areas in which multiplayer of any kind is unavailable. The same holds true for the fight itself, meaning players will have to face this powerful foe alone. The Darklurker splits himself into two copies, each sharing the one hit point bar and having access to his full set of moves. Of particular note is his Dark Meteor attack, in which he creates a portal that bears a striking resemblance to the Dark Soul itself. This guy makes this list easily due to his incredibly cool design and difficult fight.
Dark Souls 2 has many other cool bosses as well, like Nashandra and the Ancient Dragon, but these are by far the most unique and memorable. That said, the DLC content introduced a number of great new bosses and expanded the lore on some existing ones, and is definitely worth playing through. Dark Souls 2 may have had some flaws, but for an entry in a series of games known for its gripping boss battles against overwhelming odds, it lives up to its name with ease.
Dark Souls 2 is available now for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.