9 Video Game First Boss Battles That Totally Broke You

1. Asylum Demon - Dark Souls

The very reason Dark Souls is such a beloved cult franchise is because of this guy. The Asylum Demon is the sort of boss your friends told you about, the kind of forced encounter that gives Dark Souls its reputation, an embodiment of the 'fight or flight' response we always have when any towering opponent enters the fray.

Appearing below you to start - before flying up and smashing the outcrop of land you might feel safe on - the tactic for this Demon actually is to run away. Only in realising you need to live to fight another day will you find a sword and return for round two.

Once that's done you can start actually dealing damage, but the very fact that Dark Souls elects to teach you this valuable lesson by way of pummelling you into a fine paste otherwise, just didn't rub off on the average player.

Which very first boss battle made you run for the hills? Let us know in the comments!