10 Video Game Bosses You Felt Terrible For Ignoring

As sadistically punishing as Elden Ring can be, the sheer size of FromSoftware's acclaimed RPG means that struggling players don't need to agonise over a particular fight more than they need to. If a boss proves to be too difficult, players can simply explore in a different direction and try again when they're better equipped.

Although there's no punishment for not defeating any of the game's bosses, there is a specific circumstance in which ignoring one of the hardest bosses can lead to disaster.

If players follow Hyetta's quest to the end and talk to her deep within the Subterranean Shunting-Grounds, she'll ask the Tarnished to remove their armour and step through a nearby door to be embraced by the Three Fingers. 

Once touched by the fiery appendages, however, players will be locked into one of the worst endings of the game. The only way to undo the Fingers' touch is to acquire Miquella's needle, which means that Melenia will need to be defeated.

With her devastating Waterfowl Dance attack and ability to heal herself with every hit she lands, there's a reason many are unable to beat her. 

Ignoring her, though, may just result in ruining an entire playthrough.