The bosses in FromSoftware's Soulsborne games are often regarded as some of the best in the industry, with a level of quality and attention to detail that is rarely matched. The unique designs, challenging mechanics, and intense atmosphere during these boss fights create an unforgettable experience that is simply unforgettable. The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that players feel after defeating these awe-inspiring bosses is something that few other games can match.
The first boss of these games serves as an introduction to the game's mechanics and sets the tone for the challenges to come. Despite being an enemy that players encounter early on, these bosses are often tough, unforgiving, and can easily kill a player who is unprepared or careless. Sometimes, players are meant to die and realize just how tough this challenge will be. Other times, players have to power through and beat these bosses by any means necessary.
7 The Last Giant – Dark Souls 2
Out of all the tutorial bosses in Soulsborne games, many players feel like The Last Giant is one of the most uninteresting of the lot — a recurring complaint when it comes to Dark Souls 2. This massive creature is relatively simple to handle, letting players understand the game's mechanics and combat system at their own pace.
The Last Giant is slow and lumbering, allowing players to get a feel for dodging his blows and maximizing their attack windows. It's a poor introduction to Dark Souls 2, especially since there are several other bosses in the game that are way more interesting to battle.
6 Grafted Scion – Elden Ring
The toughest first bosses in video games are the ones that can't even be beaten, mainly because they are way too challenging and intimidating. In fact, these encounters are meant to be lost, with players retrying this battle after gaining some levels and gear. Such is the case with the Grafted Scion, who is the first enemy with a boss health bar players will encounter in Elden Ring.
The Grafted Scion hits like a truck early on, with players getting down in an attack on two. This is why most people die to this boss and leave it for later, with only the most skilled players around being able to dodge and land hits with great finesse.
5 Vanguard Demon – Demon's Souls
Demon's Souls was the first-ever attempt by FromSoftware to make a game with the patented Soulsborne mechanics everyone loves. While this attempt definitely has several advantages, there's no denying that the introduction to this game is rough and does a poor job of displaying the strengths of this title.
A great example of this is the first boss, who is pretty tough for a boss that arrives early on in the game. The Vanguard Demon is massive and hits for some serious damage, and players should stick to its behind if they want to stand a chance of surviving an encounter that is way too tough for most players to deal with, especially if this was their first Soulsborne game.
4 Iudex Gundyr – Dark Souls 3
Iudex Gundyr is one of the most intimidating bosses in Dark Souls 3, which may make the actual challenge of this boss somewhat weak in comparison. Most people are already pretty familiar with the mechanics in Soulsborne games, which is precisely why the easy nature of this boss makes him a pushover at times.
That being said, the fight does get challenging when Iudex Gundyr transforms, with players being wary of his greater power and attack range. With a few choice hits and effective dodging, Iudex Gundyr will become toast in no time at all.
3 Genichiro Ashina – Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice was a unique spin on the Souls formula that was pretty entertaining to get through. The whole idea of investing experience in the form of Souls and Blood Echoes to level up their character is gone, and the only way Sekiro can get stronger is by defeating bosses.
So, when players fight Genichiro Ashina at the start of the game, it's only a given that they're bound to lose. Deflecting attacks and dodging high-powered blows is easier said than done when players have no tools or abilities at their disposal, and only the most skilled swordsmen will be able to best Genichiro in this encounter. It's a shame that the outcome remains the same, with Sekiro losing his arm regardless of the battle's outcome.
2 The Asylum Demon – Dark Souls
The Asylum Demon is the first boss in Dark Souls coming right out of the gate when players get out of the jail in the Undead Asylum. The initial encounter is downright unwinnable, with players either needing their Black Firebombs or wailing at the boss with their fists for ages while dodging all their attacks with great finesse.
Players will have to escape the boss room by running into an open doorway at the side of the boss arena, getting their Estus Flasks and a weapon that can deal more damage than their bare hands. Following this, they can enter the arena once again from a higher position, discovering how the plunging attack works and dealing a ton of damage to this boss.
1 Father Gascoigne – Bloodborne
Many people would argue that the real first boss in Bloodborne is the Cleric Beast given that it can be encountered before Gascoigne. However, there are many players who can miss this encounter, while Gascoigne is a mandatory boss whom players need to defeat if they wish to progress further in the game.
For a first boss, Gascoigne is truly unforgiving for players who treat this game like Dark Souls. The boss is fast, rushes players, and has a second form that is even harder to deal with. It speaks to the strengths of Bloodborne that this enemy is extremely challenging early on, but becomes nothing more than a minor hindrance when players become more adept with how this boss fights.