Summary
From turn-based JRPGs to action-RPGs and even soulslikes, combat is a major aspect of every RPG, regardless of subgenre. Given how much time players spend fighting enemies, theimportance of enemy variety and designis hard to overstate. However, this crucial aspect is often overlooked by players and developers, resulting in many great games lacking in this area, which can lead to repetitive, tiresome encounters with the same enemies for hours on end.
At times, the approach to enemy and boss design is heavily influenced by the setting itself, but fortunately, many RPGs aren’t overly restricted, presenting theirown unique and original worlds to explore. This allows for full creative freedom that results in outstanding and memorable designs that can’t be found anywhere else. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the best RPGs with standout designs for enemies and bosses that greatly enhance the overall enjoyment of combat.
Over the years, the colossalMonster Hunterfranchise hasspawned numerous unique monster designs, constantly refining their appearance, preserving the most successful ideas and creature incarnations while enriching their appearance and behavior with each new installment.Monster Hunter Wildsis the pinnacle of Capcom’s expertise in creating ecosystem-driven monsters, allowing players to hunt iconic beasts in ways that feel both dynamic and natural.
Monster Hunter Wildsfeatures returning creatures from previous entries, like the iconic Rathalos, Congalala, or Gravios, coupled with plenty of exotic variants, as well as brand-new designs. From Arkveld and Hirabami to Chatacabra and Rompopolo, fans canrest assured that hunting has never been this variedand exhilarating.
In many ways, the enemy and boss design inNieR: Automatafollows a different path from many other RPGs, opting for a simplistic, almost minimalistic design for many robots that players face during their adventures. At times, the machines look almost harmless and silly, unless players fight gigantic bosses that resemble construction equipment (Marx and Engels), highlighting their effectiveness rather than visual appeal.
However, the game takes significant effort to add personality to every machine, presenting layered, emotionally charged boss encounters that stay with players. By infusing philosophical themes and a rich background that players uncover gradually,NieR: Automataremains mysterious for long hours, often turning the player experience upside down and even making them sympathetic to enemies they once slew. After all, it’s nearly impossible to forget encounters with machines like Beauvoir or Grün, or the climactic machine uprising with the goal of becoming “as gods.”
Metaphor: ReFantaziois one of the most acclaimed recent JRPGs, featuring a familiar approach to turn-based combat coupled with an entirely original universe. Set in the medieval fantasy realm of the United Kingdom of Euchronia, the game goes completely off the beaten path with its enemy and boss design, presenting some of the most surreal and grotesque enemies the genre has ever seen.
For players whosense familiarity inMetaphor: ReFantazio’simaginative bosses, it’s because the developers drew heavy inspiration from the works of Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, known for his whimsical interpretations of religious themes.Metaphor’smany bosses, like Homo Jaluzo, Homo Gorleo, or Homo Avades, share recognizable Bosch traits, blending psychological horror with vibrant historical art.
After years of teasing,Black Myth: Wukongemerged as a groundbreaking debut for Game Science, delivering everything promised. While it could be hard to make sense of the game’s tangled plot without knowing the classic Chinese novel,Journey to the West, fans can easily agree that when it comes to enemy design and boss variety,Black Myth: Wukongranks among the best action-RPGs of modern times.
Black Myth: Wukongis almost devoid of familiar generic enemies found elsewhere, insteadopting for imaginative, mythology-infused creatureswith little to no repetition throughout the game’s lengthy story campaign. Moreover, the game features over a hundred unique and challenging bosses, with clear effort poured into their combat mechanics and animations to deliver engaging fights every few minutes. From Hundred-Eyed Daoist Master to Captain Wise-Voice, players areunlikely to forget these climactic encounters.
Ever sinceDemon’s Souls, FromSoftware has established itself among the top-tier studios for creating memorable and truly special enemies and bosses, raising the bar with each new game. Despite being released over a decade ago,Bloodborneremains one of the standout works in the studio’s rich portfolio, with many fans arguing it’s still FromSoftware’s best, particularly for its unique setting and monster design.
Atrue masterclass in Lovecraftian horror, no other game comes close to portraying creatures so unspeakably terrifying and indescribable that victory over them almost feels like a fever dream. From Amygdala, the One Reborn, and Ebrietas to Moon Presence and Ludwig, nearly every boss creature inBloodborneis iconic and unmistakably unique, cementing the game’s place in the pantheon of the best action-RPGs ever made.
One of the greatest studio debuts ever,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33emerged as the highest-rated game of 2025 so far, and for good reason.Nearly every aspect of this JRPG is honed to perfection, featuring not only a groundbreaking blend of turn-based combat with active parrying and dodging but also an entirely original universe with dozens of unique enemy variants — each so distinct and unforgettable that it’s a simple pleasure to explore every corner of the Continent to discover what other Nevrons might be hiding there.
The game’sbosses are another highlight, drawing from the best RPGs to deliver something fresh and memorable, whether it’s the blood-chilling encounter with the Lampmaster, the intense brawl with the Dualliste, or the first meeting with the Bourgeon.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33also masterfully utilizes its original score to enrich every combat encounter, blending an array of specific musical instruments to further heighten the nature or danger of each new foe in Expedition 33’s path. Even the game’s NPCs, like the Gestrals, quickly capture the hearts and minds of players with their simple yet effective and memorable design, quirky language, and enthusiasm for hand-to-hand combat.
While some fans might preferBloodborneoverElden Ringfor its more thematic enemy and boss design, as many ofElden Ring’senemies are human knights of some sort, the game’s breadth of enemies is undeniable. In every corner of this vast world, players will discover new creatures to slay or be slain by, and menacing bosses so colossal at times that they hardly fit on the screen. Every Demigod fight could easily rank among the most epic in the genre, from Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, to Mohg, Lord of Blood.
The best aspect ofElden Ring’senemy and boss design is not just the variety and visual richnessbut the impeccable lore behind each creature, even the lesser ones. Years of analyzingElden Ring’slore bear fruit in understanding every enemy or boss’s place in this fascinating universe, and players can rest assured: cosmic horrors like Astel, Naturalborn of the Void, aren’t there just to look cool.
