11 Video Game Boss Attacks That Were Utter BS

Curse you, Malenia!

Elden Ring
From Software

We all love a challenge. If a video game is too easy, it leaves no impact when you complete it, but if you have tried and failed and tried again for weeks, months, or years, it is all the more satisfying when you finally triumph. Although we've all been stuck on tough levels and tricky puzzles, most of the frustration we experience is from the boss encounters.

Bosses are designed to put all the player's skills to the test. You don't just expect them to be challenging - you want them to be. However, even though antagonists like Sephiroth, Bowser, and Mewtwo are legendary for their difficulty, they still fight fairly. If you memorised their tactics and time your attacks correctly, you should emerge victorious.

But there are enemies that aren't just resilient - they're cheap. It's infuriating when your rival pulls off a non-telegraphed assault that you can't dodge or block. It's unfair when the boss performs a move that kills you instantly. You can't help getting pissed off when your enemy attacks you so relentlessly, you don't get a chance to fight, counter, or move.

With these cheap tactics in mind then, even though a great boss should be hard, this lot went way too far.

11. Kronika's Time-Bending - Mortal Kombat 11

Elden Ring
NetherRealm

Mortal Kombat bosses are infamous for their cheap tactics, and the final adversary of Mortal Kombat 11, Kronika, is no exception. This towering titan can summon asteroids, health-depleting forcefields, other kombatants, and even a T-Rex.

But what makes Kronika so powerful is the fact that she's a chronomancer, meaning that time itself is her plaything. If she strikes you with Time Energy, it will drain your health bar, freeze you in place, and move you right beside her, allowing her to unleash a devastating Special or combo. Blocking isn't helpful since she can shoot Time Energy around the arena, striking you from behind. She can also perform this move while you're in a middle of hitting her, cancelling your attack. She doesn't telegraph this move in any way so there's no hint it's coming until it's too late.

She can also shoot a Time Sphere that spits out Time Energy in all directions, which is nearly impossible to dodge. Goro, Shang Tsung, and Shao Kahn may be well-known for their unfair tactics but none of these bosses hold a candle to Kronika.

Contributor
Contributor

James Egan has written 80 books including 1000 Facts about Superheroes Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about TV Shows Vol. 1-3 Twitter - @jameswzegan85