Boss (video games)
In video games, a boss is a significantly powerful non-player character created as an opponent to players.
Boss battles are generally seen at climax points of particular sections of games, such as at the end of a level or stage or guarding a specific objective.
For example, in a run 'n' gun video game, all regular enemies might use pistols while the boss uses a tank.
In multiplayer online battle arena games, defeating a map boss usually requires teamwork of two or more players, but it brings various benefits to the team, such as buffs or lane push power.
[5][6] Bosses are usually harder to beat than regular enemies, have higher health points, hence can sustain more damage and are generally found at the end of a level or area.
Player(s) typically acquire this item while exploring the dungeon and is given opportunity to learn to use it to solve puzzles or defeat weaker enemies before facing the boss character.
[23] In Final Fantasy VII, players may choose to seek out and fight the Ruby and Emerald Weapons.
[24][25] Some superbosses can yield special items or skills that cannot be found any other way that can give players a significant advantage during playthrough of the rest of the game, such as added experience or an extremely powerful weapon.
Examples of such superbosses can be found in games like Pokémon Go and World of Warcraft, and are generally referred to as a raid.
[27][28] Toby Fox's games Undertale and Deltarune both feature superbosses in the form of Sans, Jevil, and Spamton NEO.
[31][32][33] The Warden from Minecraft could be considered a superboss, as it is vastly more difficult to fight than the final boss, the Ender Dragon.
They come in many variations, such as the Chargin' Chuck Swarm encountered in Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam,[35] the Armos Knights from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past[36] or the Battle of 1000 Heartless from Kingdom Hearts II.
Final bosses are generally larger, more detailed or better animated than lesser enemies, often in order to inspire a feeling of grandeur and special significance from the encounter.
These bosses only appear after the completion of specific additional levels, choosing specific dialogue options or after obtaining a particular item or set of items, such as the Chaos Emeralds in the Sonic the Hedgehog series or performing a series of tasks in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
Examples of a "true final boss" include the Radiance in Hollow Knight and the Moon Presence in Bloodborne.
Only by defeating the Dragon can players claim the orb, complete the game and be eligible to appear on the high score list.
[54] Phoenix, released in December 1980,[55] is a fixed shooter where players's ship must fight a giant mothership in the fifth and final level.
[56] At several points in Namco's vertically scrolling shooter Xevious (1982), players must defeat an Andor Genesis mothership to advance.
