3 Great Game bosses

Let’s face it, there have been some truly stonking video game bosses in the medium’s history. Really interesting, distinctive characters who could cheerfully (and in some cases have) star as the main character in their own novel series.

Let’s look at the top 5:

Sephiroth

Many people would argue Seppy, as he isn’t known at all, is probably the most distinctive video game boss of all time. He’s got it all – the incredibly distinctive (and much cosplayed) look, the complex backstory, and the spectacular special effects whenever you fight him.

Originally turning up in Final Fantasy VII, the wannabe God is so distinctive that even today, 14 years after the game’s release, most gamers will recognise him on sight.

The G-Man

Is he actually a bad guy? Well, that’s a bit of a complicated question. But nonetheless, the besuited, sinister figure from Half-Life and Half-Life 2 is a definite candidate for gaming’s hall of fame.

It’s actually slightly difficult to see why. I mean, at the end of the day he’s just a dude in a black suit. But the slow build of the first game, the very, very sparing introductions, the times you see him behind an unopenable door, and of course the stunning HL1 ending where he Puts You Away in case he needs you make him a character you won’t forget.

Arthas, the Lich King

Best. Armour. Ever.

Arthas actually started as a good guy – sort of – in the Warcraft III game by Blizzard entertainment, and his plotline ranks as one of the few actually compelling stories ever told in a computer game. Blizzard did a wonderful job with his slow corruption and decay into the Lord of the Undead Scourge from the blond, idealistic prince.

And then came World of Warcraft – not only physicalising all of the locations we’d already visited in WC3 (the outside entrance to Undercity, where you can still hear the cheering and the bells tolling from Arthas’s fateful visit in WC3, is one of the most memorable locations in any game), but also extending and deepening the lore.

It’s a bit of a pity that more wasn’t made of him in Wrath of the Lich King, but nonetheless, killing him and earning the “a href=”http://www.mmomeltingpot.com/2011/08/getting-the-bane-of-the-fallen-king-title-at-85/”>Bane of the Fallen King title is still one of the most memorable moments in most WoW players’ histories.

Will it be as exciting when we finally learn how to find Deathwing? I doubt it.

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