Tutorial levels are primarily used to demonstrate how a game can be expected to function as its narrative progresses. Depending on the style of a game, its introduction can incorporate a variety of different mechanics to ease the player into its fictional world. Though many games attempt to slowly immerse players, some opt to quickly submerge them with little to no preparation.

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Most games tend to incorporate challenging bosses into their stories. A video game boss will usually be a far more challenging form of what the player is used to facing, often appearing during the climax of a level or area. Tutorial bosses, on the other hand, usually serve to educate a player on combat mechanics during a game's opening, but certain bosses are implemented solely to evoke fear.

10 The Bloater - The Last Of Us

A Bloater stands in a school hallway in The Last of Us

Before encountering the first Bloater in The Last of Us, the game tries to encourage the player to use stealth as a means of avoiding their foes. However, this luxury is stripped away during the game's first boss fight.

Forced to defeat this monstrous creature, the player is tasked with finding the appropriate means to do so in a short space of time. Confined to a relatively small area, the player is given little breathing room to search for the means of vanquishing this foe, so hopefully, they have been preserving their ammo before this encounter.

9 Conrad - A Plague Tale: Innocence

Amicia Fighting Conrad From A Plague Tale Innocence

A Plague Tale: Innocence follows the story of Amicia de Rune and her younger brother as they are forced to navigate a plague-riddled world. Though the game's challenges are primarily puzzle-based, the tutorial boss suggests that the player's enthusiasm for problem-solving will not shield them from physical combat.

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Armed with nothing but a sling, Amicia's primary means of inflicting damage is confined to the tossing of small rocks. To defeat Conrad, the player must approach the battle strategically as the rocks are ineffective against his armor. His size, speed, and armor make the battle appear unwinnable, but logical thinking can quickly overcome his brute force.

8 The Whomping Willow - Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

Harry Potter Ron Whomping Willow Chamber Of Secrets

After missing the Hogwarts Express, Ron is forced to steal his father's Ford Anglea to get to Hogwarts on time. As he and Harry arrive at the famous school of witchcraft and wizardry, they are attacked by the Whomping Willow: one of the school's primary defense mechanisms.

After searching each corner of the Forbidden Forest, Harry happens upon Ron being held in one of the Willow's extended branches. To rescue him, Harry must cast offensive magic at the tree's exposed eye while avoiding the attacks of its frightening wooden fists. If this rendition of the Whomping Willow appeared in the books, perhaps Harry would have left the world of magic behind in favor of his once quiet life in Privet Drive.

7 Darkside - Kingdom Hearts

Darkside In Kingdom Hearts

The charming aesthetic of Kingdom Hearts serves to lure its players into a false sense of security before unleashing its more harrowing elements. Though many assume a game with so many lovable Disney properties would pose little threat, the tutorial level suggests otherwise.

The final segment of Sora's dream sees him come face to face with a giant heartless known as Darkside. Being the opening of the game, Sora's abilities are limited, rendering the Darkside's presence extremely intimidating. The size of this being requires Sora to run up its arm to deal damage to its head, but just the thought of approaching this foe is enough to deter the player from playing any further.

6 Hansel And Gretel - NieR

Hansel And Gretel Are One Of The First Boss Fights In Nier Replicant

Having only been exposed to a variety of small shadow-like enemies, the sudden introduction of Hansel and Gretel serves to dismantle the sense of ease felt by the player. Tasked with guarding the seal to Grimoire Weiss, Hansel and Gretel spend their time standing motionless at the top of the Lost Shrine.

These towering statues work in unison, regularly taking turns attacking the player. Though their quick and unpredictable attacks can quickly shake a player's resolve, their frightening designs are guaranteed to spark fear in all those who gaze upon them.

5 The Second Sister - Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

second sister star wars jedi: fallen order

The opening to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order paints Cal Kestis as nothing more than a humble mechanic. During a workplace accident, Cal is forced to reveal himself as a Jedi in hiding and, in doing so, extends an invitation for the Inquisitors to pursue him.

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His first battle sees him going toe to toe with Trilla Suduri, the Ninth Sister. Though this battle is largely scripted, it briefly highlights the full power Cal will be forced to face as the narrative progresses. Her skills in the Dark Side are far superior to Cal's Jedi abilities, so the player will be hugely relieved when their first encounter ends as quickly as it began.

4 Gohma - The Legend Of Zelda: Wind Waker

Located in the final room of the Dragon Roost, Gohma is one of the most terrifying bosses present throughout the entirety of The Legend of Zelda series. It is reminiscent of a scorpion in design, but its size results in it being a far more threatening beast.

Gohma emerges from a pool of lava upon entering its domain. If its submergence in lava was not enough to spark fear in the player, its all-encompassing stature certainly will. Though he appears in a relatively large area, Gohma's vast size means that it just barely fits in. To Gohma, Link is nothing more than an insect, diminishing any hope of victory.

3 Sinspawn Ammes - Final Fantasy 10

Sinspawn Ammes In FFX

Though the opening segment of Final Fantasy 10 does not feature a direct fight with Sin, its presence is felt throughout each encounter Tidus and Auron are forced into. Having decimated the majority of Zanarkand upon its arrival, Sin's power is echoed through the Sinspawn it sends to hunt those who oppose it.

Tidus and Auron must fight their way through Sin's lackeys if they want any hope of escape. As each fight begins, a new gimmick is introduced, resulting in each fight becoming more challenging than the last. Though it is impossible to lose these fights, the fear of being annihilated by the penultimate Sinspawn Ammes is hard to ignore.

2 Slitherfang - Horizon Forbidden West

Horizon Forbidden West Slitherfang

The Slitherfang boss is arguably one of the most frightening tutorial bosses in gaming history. The fast-moving serpent-like machine can pose more problems than one if not dealt with quickly, so newcomers to the series may struggle upon encountering it.

If the design of the Slitherfang fails to spark terror in its adversaries, its frightening size certainly will. To the player who seeks sanctuary by distancing themselves from the creature, the Slitherfang will respond by spewing acid in their direction, making them a surprisingly challenging boss for the early stages of the game.

1 Wilson Fisk - Marvel's Spider-Man

After gaining entry to Fisk Tower, Spider-Man will be forced to face off against the notorious King Pin of crime known as Wilson Fisk. Though Fisk may initially appear to be nothing more than a regular man, his physical prowess proves him to be one of the web-slinger's most challenging adversaries.

Fisk is surprisingly agile for his size, making him an unpredictable opponent. If the player attempts to put some distance between themselves and this monster of a man they will more than likely find him closing in on them a moment later. Though he is no more human than most people, Fisk's frightening size allows him to make short work of his enemies, no matter what insect they were bitten by.

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