(RPG-ween) Top Ten RPG Bosses · 12:57am Oct 11th, 2015
Oh boy, I've been looking forward to this one!
Hey there dreamers, and welcome back to another session of RPG-ween! This time, we'll be talking about probably my favorite things ever about RPGs; the bosses. Next to the music and story, boss battles to me are just as important as any of that other stuff. They cement everything you've learned thus far, and can be a real test and fair challenge. That is unless they cheat, but that's another list for another day. For now, let's just talk about why I love RPG bosses so much!
To prevent this list getting too long in case I accidentally close the tab, I'll only talk about the boss with one paragraph. I think I should be able to get my point across though, so no worries there. I'll also only be talking about bosses that I've faced, so unfortunately nothing from Fallout of Borderlands. Oh, and just as a head's up, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!!! With that being said, it's game time!
Oh, and for heaven's sake, here are some honorable mentions:
- Grigori (Dragon's Dogma)
- Xemnas (Kingdom Hearts II)
- The Warrior (Borderlands 2)
Number 10:
Dragon Tank (Chrono Trigger)
I was surprised how fair this fight was when I fought it. Basically, the battle happens a little after you have your trial for kidnapping the princess of Guardia. You escape, but the guards try one last thing to keep you in your cell. This thing. All you have to do is attack its destroy the body, but here's the thing: the head of the machine heals the body, and heals more than the damage you can output. Oh, and the head absorbs all elements. So how do you beat it? The battle introduces the first form of strategy in the game, as with the other enemies and boss you could just attack and they'd die. I won't spoil the strategy (mainly because I'm a dick), but just know you'll be very satisfied with what you can come up with. Oh, and the boss death is pretty cool as well, as shown here. Why is it so low then? Well, the fight was pretty pathetic if you know what to do. It doesn't help when you get NewGame+ on your side as well, making the fight and absolute joke. But eh, it was fun while it lasted.
Number 9:
Atma [Ultima] Weapon (Final Fantasy VI)
When this boss first appeared before me, the first thing I noticed was the incredible music. The music, called "Battle to the Death" is still to this day one of my favorite boss themes ever composed. But what makes this boss so good, hmm? It's probably because it doesn't try and cheap tactics to knock you down. I mean, yeah, it has Fire 3, but by this point in the game you've pretty much survived through worse. It's design is pretty cool too! Like all Final Fantasy bosses, all you have to do is beat it down, heal yourself and continue this pattern until it dies. But what really makes this boss fight awesome is, at least to me, you have Shadow with you. That's a bonus point in itself, but with Shadow you can use your throwing tools to knock down Atma's HP quickly. Why's it only at number 9? This is supposed to be the guardian of ALL MAGIC! As much fun as I had, and as fair as a fight it was, I kinda expected something more.
Number 8:
Airy (Bravely Default)
This is a HARD boss, even on easy mode for god's sake! You have to have really prepared through the game to take on Airy and the true final boss. But, this one is just for Airy, so no secret final boss here. Airy has been guiding you through different worlds, deceiving you until she has no use for you anymore. Now, it's time for some payback! Whatever strategy you choose with your jobs, you'll be in for one hell of a battle, complete with three forms and phases. Two forms you fight at once, but you'll have a moment to prepare yourself for the final phase. Each has different attacks you have to prepare for and defend for, not to mention she has the second highest amount of HP in any monster if you combine her HP of each form. This isn't even mentioning the music which changes each phase. They are, in order, "Wicked Thing", "Wicked Battle", and "Wicked Flight". The only thing keeping her from getting any higher is the fact she actually is very difficult boss in the sense she's basically an unnecessary difficulty spike.
Number 7:
Grand Master Greevil (Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness)
Pokemon XD and Pokemon Colosseum are probably the finest Pokemon games I've ever played. I know that's an unpopular opinion, but at least I'm not hating on a game I've never played. The Shadow Pokemon mechanic was surprisingly fun and challenging, forcing you to make strategic moves with your available choices. Or get Crobat, either one works. But nothing will test your skills more than the fight with Grand Master Greevil, the final boss of the game. Holy Jesus on a bike, this fight is hard. But not impossible, like the previous game's final boss. Greevil used a full team of Shadow Pokemon, meaning every attack they use is super effective against you. It doesn't help he has all of the legendary birds. But his other Pokemon (Exeggutor, Tauros, Rhydon) are just common things you can easily take down, albeit with some powerful stats and good moves at their disposal. The music, simply called "The Last Battle", is one of the most triumphant pieces I've ever heard in my life, signalling this man is a threat, but also that you have the power to beat him.
Number 6:
Blue [Douche, Dick, Asshat, Ballz] (Pokemon Firered & Leafgreen)
Whatever you may name him, you can't deny that the build-up to him and his final fight is certainly one that will go down in history. Many people love praising the fight with Red in Gold and Silver, but I've never actually fought him, so... Blue it is! Besides, the fight with Blue is incredible, as all Pokemon Champions usually are. Usually. Through you entire adventure, Blue has been a general dick towards you. After your supposed final battle you don't see him for a while until you enter the Indigo Plateau. After beating Lance, he tells you that there is one more trainer you have to fight, and that trainer is none other than Blue. Now is your chance to take him out and show him your true strength. He comes packing with different Pokemon depending on what starter he chose, but his constants are always Alakazam, Pidgeot, and Rhydon, all packing incredible power and moves. The battle itself isn't that difficult, but the build-up and intensity make up for it. And the music, dear god the music! Even on the gameboy, this was amazing!
Number 5:
Primal Groudon/Kyogre (Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire)
Last Pokemon battle, I swear. But this battle, or battles really, are some of the greatest legendary battles I've ever had the pleasure of facing. Sure, the battles can be won instantly by a Master Ball, and if you're saving your Master Ball, the battle can be a bore most of the time. But for what it's worth, everything else is flipping amazing. First off, where are you fighting exactly? The core of Hoenn, of course! With sparking lights and rushing waters or bubbling lava depending on your version, the area is the perfect stage to decide the fate of the world. Second off, the music. I've heard people talk wonders about how good the music is in this fight, but I've never really seen anyone analyze it before. So, I did the honors and was surprised at what I heard. Everyone knows about the random intervals of the original theme that pops up in the remastered one? This isn't for nostalgic purposes... mostly, but rather symbolism. Kyogre and Groudon have both been Primal Reverted against their will, and their trying to break free of it back to their original forms, hence the GBA intervals. A perfect battle to cap off a perfect arc.
Number 4:
Dreamy Bowser (Mario & Luigi: Dream Team)
Also known as Super-Ultimate-Rainbow Bowser! But in all seriousness, this boss is amazing. Have you noticed a trend in the Mario & Luigi games? All the final bosses are Bowser, and this is certainly no exception (obviously). Only this time, it actually is Bowser and not some sort of possessed version of him. Now with the power of dreams at his disposal, he is virtually indestructible. Okay, okay, in all seriousness, this boss is actually a fun challenge. It tests everything you have done in the real world thus far, making use of your special attacks, your single attacks, your dodging and your countering: Special attacks for a certain minion move that heals Bowser, single attacks to free one of your captured bros when Bowser takes one of them, and dodging and countering for obvious reasons. But I swear, no battle truly tests you like this final one. And it's hard too! For a Mario & Luigi game anyway. But probably the greatest thing about this theme is the music, called "Adventure's End". It perfectly contrasts everything cheery about the game with a dark, low tone and a scarily good piano player, as well as fits the situation perfectly. And may I remind you that this is a Bowser theme? HOLY CRAP!!
Number 3:
Magus (Chrono Trigger)
Magus is probably my second favorite Chrono Trigger next to Lucca, and how could I not like him? He's just so badass! In fact, he's SO badass, he doesn't even look at the screen when I'm talking about him, as shown here. But in all seriousness, he's the most fleshed out guy in the game... in a game filled with fleshed out characters. GOD, I love Chrono Trigger! But that's a story for another day. Anyway, Magus's battle is freaking hard! Boasting a whopping 6666 HP, as well as some of the best stats in the game thus far, you're in for a challenging fight. But here's where Chrono Trigger's charm comes in. You don't need to grind at all, but rather change your strategy up so you can eventually beat him. This combined with the setting of his castle makes for not only one of the most satisfying fights ever, but also one of the greatest fights in RPG history! The music, simply titled "Battle with Magus", sets the mood for the battle perfectly, with the slow build-up and the epic drums and flute right at the middle and end make it one of the best tracks in the game. And that's saying lot, there are TONS of good tracks in the game! His second fight is also good, but I feel as if the first one was just perfect.
Number 2:
Neo Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)
DEAR CHRIST ON A BIKE, WHAT IS THAT THING?! That, my friends, is the final boss of Final Fantasy V, Neo Exdeath. You see, it looks like this because... um... reasons. Apparently, Exdeath is a tree with tons of evil spirits in it and... y'know what, that doesn't matter. This fight is freaking fantastic! I don't get why people never talk about it all that much. It's probably because it pales compared to number 1 on this list, but maybe for other reasons as well. Anyway, as you all know, Final Fantasy bosses are usually pretty easy if you know what your doing, but also because you had a grind session earlier that day. But not Neo Exdeath, no way! He'll screw you over if you're not prepared, with some of the most powerful moves in the game and some of the highest stats any boss in the game has to offer! You'll have to organize properly if you're to beat Exdeath, meaning you better get used to all those jobs you got previously or have a huge slap to the face with a difficulty train, so to say. Or just fuck it and use Mimes, that works too. Mimes or not, that music... sweet LORD the music! Threatening and powerful, it is simply put one of the greatest tracks in the game. And that's saying a lot, I LOVE Final Fantasy V's soundtrack!
Number 1:
Kefka (Final Fantasy VI)
Do I even need to explain myself? The final battle between your team and Kefka is not only the greatest Final Fantasy final battle, but the greatest RPG boss of all time. It's a four phase fight with a 17-minute-long music piece behind it, and each tier tests your endurance, strategic planning, and feels. Let's go through each of the phases, shall we? Tier 1 is the most menacing phase, with dark tones that are a throwback to the intro of the game. It symbolizes, Kefka's hatred for humanity, as well as the Hell (Inferno) portion of Dante's inferno. Tier 2 is my favorite, clashing dark tones with crazy ones. It symbolizes Kefka's unquenchable insanity, as well as the Purgatory (Purgatorio) portion of Dante's inferno. Tier 3 directly mocks Toccata and Fugue in D-minor with a surprisingly happy tone. It symbolizes Kefka's narcissism as well as the Paradisio (Heaven) portion of Dante's inferno. Finally, tier 4 is Kefka himself, with notes that sound bouncy and insane at first, but soon slow to a sad stop. This final phase symbolizes Kefka's godhood in the first part, as well as the knowledge that said godhood will soon come to an end in the second. He know's he's about to die, and I think the organ does all the talking here. Once you finally kill him, he says the greatest words a man could ever say in his death: Nothing. He speaks not a word as he disintegrates from this world, finally accepting his pathetic life. This boss can only be described as perfection, showing what happens when a man goes to far into his own insanity. Sure, he pulls a few cheap moves every once-in-a-while, but everything else far outweighs that. I just wish Final Fantasy bosses nowadays were as symbolic and scary as this.
Did you enjoy the list? Did you agree with it? In the comments down below, tell me what your favorite RPG boss is and why. It can be from any RPG you want, including Borderlands and Fallout.
Until then, this is SuperKamek saying thank you, have a great night, and just remember that if anyone ever decides to blow up the world like Kefka has, me, my sister and my friend will come and beat you up! But that's okay, because you'll have giant tower to sit upon and destroy the world with! So, it all balances out in the end.
I actually think Exdeath Should be #1
He's actually the GOOD GUY.
Maybe a Tie between him and Kefka? They're like polar opposites.
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I'm just sad that no one has really viewed this blog yet... I kinda worked hard on it, and yet nothing.
I Haven't had a reference to most of these games so I can only provide an opinion on the Pokemon ones, (which I agree with <3) so not much else for me to add
Sorry D:
3459985 I think everypony is writing reaction fics to today's episode. or blogging like crazy...
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It's quite alright!
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Ugh... figures...
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It even prompted me to write one, and I... just don't write blogs like everypony else seems to.
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It's alright, buddy. Everyone has their particular set of skills.
Ah Magus. The one character I refuse to kill because reasons.
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Believe it or not, I actually knew, and still know, a guy who killed him because he didn't like him.
3466302 Not surprised. He did come off fairly flat as a character to me at first, but because any party member is a good party member in my book, he grew on me.
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And because he wanted to kill Lavos more than anyone.
3466317 Holy hell yes.