15 Best Boss Intros (Not The Fights!)

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Certain boss fights immediately grab you not because of the fight itself, but because of how they begin. These introductions expertly use visuals, music, and the environment to establish a sense of threat, letting you feel the danger without needing any explanation. They perfectly blend storytelling and gameplay in those crucial first moments. Here are fifteen examples of such introductions, along with the games they’re from.

Baldur

The game begins with a peaceful cabin scene where a mysterious visitor arrives at Kratos’ home and insists on staying. The entire scene is filmed in one continuous shot, building suspense as the tension rises. Baldur speaks softly, while the frozen landscape outside emphasizes the cold atmosphere. This encounter reveals that Kratos’ location is already known within the Norse world, meaning his days of hiding are over.

Ornstein and Smough

The entrance to this fight is set in Anor Londo’s grand cathedral, featuring echoing footsteps and a sweeping camera angle. Ornstein charges in quickly, while Smough arrives with powerful force, shaking the ground. The arena is designed with pillars that will become important during the battle. The music doesn’t start immediately; the choir pauses, allowing players to see the two bosses and understand their roles before the music swells.

Cleric Beast

FromSoftware introduces the monster dramatically on the bridge in Central Yharnam, using chilling sounds like howls and rattling chains. As it appears, it climbs onto the bridge’s wall, highlighted by the glow of nearby lanterns, revealing its bone and fur. The empty streets behind you and drifting sparks emphasize that you’re on your own – the city won’t offer any assistance, and the hunt is now underway.

Margit

Stormveil Castle is guarded by a treacherous cliff path where the boss Margit appears, blocking your way. The narrow space and strong winds make dodging difficult, and his initial words immediately establish that you must prove yourself worthy to proceed. He acts as a clear barrier, signaling that this castle is a significant challenge and the entrance to a much larger area.

Genichiro Ashina

FromSoftware expertly crafts a tense atmosphere, building to a climactic battle atop Ashina Castle under a gloomy, overcast sky. The fight takes place in a wide-open arena with a panoramic view. Genichiro explains he’s protecting his homeland and clarifies what’s at stake for his clan. As the battle begins, rain starts to fall, emphasizing the feeling of being completely isolated with no escape.

Poseidon

The scene opens with Santa Monica Studio positioned on the back of a colossal moving Titan as massive waves surge upwards, becoming towering walls of water. Suddenly, Poseidon rises from the ocean, and the coastline begins to crumble and break apart before our eyes. The camera sweeps dramatically from the cliffs down to the sea, emphasizing the sheer scale of the danger. This introduction establishes that the environment itself will be a dynamic and changing battlefield throughout the fight.

First Colossus

Team Ico begins in a peaceful, open area filled with the sounds of horses and flying birds. A gentle tremor in the ground draws your eye upward to a colossal figure – a giant covered in stone and moss. Surprisingly, the giant isn’t hostile, simply observing you. Its immense size and the slow, deliberate introduction of the scene suggest you’ll need to carefully climb it, not fight it.

Ganondorf

The latest Nintendo game begins in Hyrule Castle Town, with ominous clouds gathering above the castle. A mysterious rider on a black horse appears and confidently takes charge. The scene emphasizes this powerful figure while keeping Link, the player character, in the background, establishing them as the main villain before the adventure truly begins with a journey to various temples.

Tyrant

As a huge Resident Evil fan, I’m always struck by how Capcom builds tension. They do it brilliantly with Mr. T – the Tyrant. He doesn’t run through Raccoon City, he steps – each footfall is heavy and deliberate, cutting through all the destruction. You instantly recognize him, even from far away, because of that long coat and hat – he’s just this imposing silhouette. But it’s more than just visuals; the way the scenes are shot actually teaches you to listen for his footsteps and start scanning for escape routes. It’s masterful filmmaking!

Sephiroth

The scene opens with a village engulfed in flames, and a lone figure calmly walking through the fire. We see a glimpse of a long sword before his face, immediately identifying him. The townspeople react with fear, giving him space as he passes. This moment establishes him as the central character and the focus of the story.

Gravemind

Bungie shifts the perspective to a room that feels alive, with walls that seem to breathe. A voice resonates all around, echoing from the floor to the ceiling. The camera moves as if floating within a living being. This sequence reveals that the danger connects both enemies and allies through a shared, inescapable connection.

The End

Kojima Productions reveals an aged sniper, calmly positioned with birds peacefully resting close by. The camera focuses on his rifle and his steady breathing, accompanied by the sounds of the jungle slowly quieting. He opens his eyes gradually, as if awakening from a distant past. This scene establishes that careful waiting and a clear view will be crucial in what happens next.

Lady Maria

The game begins with the player character waking up in a quiet, dusty clinic inside a clocktower. A figure slowly sits up, and the ticking of a clock fills the silence. Bloodstains on their clothes hint at past events, even without any spoken words. The layout of the room and the placement of benches subtly foreshadow important spaces the player will encounter later.

Urizen

Capcom revealed a throne room made of crystal, where the target sits calmly, seemingly unconcerned by the player’s arrival. The level design forces players along a direct path, always keeping the throne in view. Urizen delivers a short speech while remaining seated, projecting an air of complete dominance. The room’s architecture hints at dangers emanating from the throne itself.

Xeno’jiiva

Capcom has shown off an amazing underground cave filled with glowing crystals, which seem to act as a breeding ground for a massive creature. The beast emerges from the earth, as if the entire area was its protective shell. Before it fully rises, cracks of light spread across its armor, then enormous wings unfurl. Once the creature is revealed, the field team’s reports become much more urgent.

Share your favorite boss entrance in the comments and tell us which reveal still gives you chills.

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2025-11-16 22:48