Open-world games allow players to experience vast landscapes like no other genre. When done right, these games are more than just a setting, but living breathing worlds with unique histories and inhabitants. With large open spaces come more opportunities for exciting encounters and challenges for players to experience.

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Boss battles have been a mainstay of video games since early in the genre, allowing players to test their skills, progress to the next level, or gain unique items. Traditionally, boss battles often signal the end of the level. However, in open-world games, boss encounters have become more fluid. It is now common to find large-scale boss fights in the open world, with no cutscene or boss gate to signal the start of the fight. These encounters are often early tests for tough battles to come. They help create a sense of danger, expanding the atmosphere of the area and telling the player that nowhere is safe.

7 Subnautica

Terrifying Monsters Patrolling The Depths

• World Boss Encounters: Leviathans
• Difficulty: High
• Rewards: None

On the surface, Subnautica first appears as a simple survival game, where the player is dropped into the shallow waters of an alien ocean planet. Players will explore the open world, discover hidden locations, unravel deep secrets, and gather materials to survive in the watery depths. The tone of the game soon changes as players venture into deeper waters. What was a simple survival game becomes a terrifying horror experience, as monsters emerge from the darkness below.

Some of the most feared creatures in the game are the Leviathans. There are a few breeds of Leviathan, some of which are harmless. However, two species in Subnautica are best given a wide birth. The Reaper Leviathan and Ghost Leviathan are huge serpentine creatures that patrol certain areas of the map. Due to the low visibility of the water, players can unknowingly find themselves face-to-face with these monsters of the deep with little hope of escape. These boss-level enemies will quickly kill unprepared players. Their presence instantly instills a level of fear, creating a sense of tension throughout the game.

6 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim

Battle Dragons To Unlock Shouts

• World Boss Encounters: Dragons
• Difficulty: Medium to High
• Rewards: Dragon Soul, Gold

One of the definitive RPGs of its generation, Bethesda’s fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls series set a benchmark for open-world games. Skyrim’s blend of deep lore, diverse landscapes, mysterious dungeons, and hosts of enemies make this one of the best RPGs ever.

The story of Skyrim revolves around the player discovering they are Dragonborn and can use Dragon Shouts to defeat an ancient returning enemy. These unique magics are unlocked as the player explores the large map, battling the various dragons and taking their souls. Many of these dragons can be found guarding specific Dragon Shrine locations, which teach new Shouts to the player. The dragon battles are central to the game and present fun challenges for players as they adventure across the land.

5 Horizon Zero Dawn

Intimidating Robotic Monsters Pose Tough Challenges

• World Boss Encounters: Large Predatory Machines
• Difficulty: Hard
• Rewards: Various Upgrade Materials

The original Horizon Zero Dawn introduced players to a vibrant post-apocalyptic world filled with dangerous robot creatures. Many of the enemies in the game are commonly found and easily taken down with a few quick attacks. However, there are a few different kinds of creatures that, due to their size, health, and aggressiveness, are major challenges for players to take on.

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These dangerous enemies can be found roaming the forests, deserts, and mountains of the game. From the cat-like Sawtooth, or the dinosaur-like Thunderjaw to the colossal flying Stormbird, these large enemies can quickly damage players and require patience and a good strategy to take down.

4 Xenoblade Chronicles

Tough Encounters To Gain Valuable Items

• World Boss Encounters: Unique Monsters
• Difficulty: Medium to Hard
• Rewards: Affinity Coins

This critically acclaimed JRPG series blends fantasy and sci-fi elements in a stunning semi-open world setting. Xenoblade is set on two frozen titans, with the inhabitants of each titan engaged in an all-out war with the other. The human-like Bionis fight against the Mechons, with only the legendary Monado sword able to keep their mechanical enemies at bay.

While exploring the vast open world, players will come across various "Unique Monsters." These mini-bosses are tough enemies and can pose a significant challenge to players. There are 157 of these enemies, with each monster dropping an affinity coin when first defeated. These important items are used for skill links between the different characters. These are vital for expanding the skills the characters can use in battle.

3 Dragon Age: Inquisition

A True Test Of Skill Against Tough Enemies

• World Boss Encounters: High Dragons
• Difficulty: Hard
• Rewards: XP, Influence, and Power

The third entry in the long-running fantasy RPG series expanded both the world and lore of the game. It allowed players to experience a vast narrative that took their characters around the setting, blending action, politics, and romance. The story revolves around the player's character finding themselves at the center of a demonic crisis and being placed at the head of the powerful inquisition, those tasked with stopping the evil that is emerging.

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The game offers players a semi-open world to explore, with each unique region offering different challenges. The High Dragons found in the different areas are some of the toughest enemies players can fight. These large-scale bosses require careful planning and strategy, as each dragon has unique strengths and weaknesses. While these bosses are completely optional, the High Dragons are great for players wanting to test their talents against difficult enemies.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

Battle Large-Scale Monsters To Gain Better Gear

• World Boss Encounters: Various Mini-Bosses
• Difficulty: Medium to Hard
• Rewards: Upgrade Items

The sequel to the critically acclaimed game Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom returns players to the lands of Hyrule with another stunning open-world experience. The latest in the Zelda series presents a huge setting, where the lands stretch into the skies with floating islands.

The game features some tough story bosses that allow players to test their skills and creativity in combat. In addition to these, several mini-bosses roam the lands of Hyrule, offering further challenges for Zelda fans. While these present some of the toughest sequences in the game, they also reward players with high-level items that can be used to upgrade gear.

1 Elden Ring

Secret Enemies That Pose A Significant Challenge

• World Boss Encounters: Dragons, Deathbirds, Night’s Cavalry
• Difficulty: Medium to Hard
• Rewards: Weapons, Spells, Ashes of War, Runes

FromSoftware’s latest groundbreaking action RPG pushed open-world games into new territory with a strong emphasis on verticality and exploration. The Lands Between is dynamic and varied and is filled with an assortment of enemies and NPCs, creating a rich landscape of challenging encounters.

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Elden Ring is renowned for its large number of boss battles, all of which present a different level of difficulty for the player. While most bosses are located at the end of a dungeon, a handful of tough encounters can be found in the world. The most easily found are the dragons. Located in all the regions, the dragons offer large-scale battles that unlock new spells upon victory. In addition to the dragons, during the nighttime in certain locations, players will also be able to take on tricky Night’s Cavalry bosses. The hardest of the world bosses, however, are the Deathbirds. The Death Rite Bird in the Mountaintops of the Giants region is particularly challenging, with many players opting to bypass the boss altogether.

Special Mention: Shadow Of The Colossus

• World Boss Encounters: Colossi
• Difficulty: Easy to Hard
• Rewards: New Swords and Outfits (Time Attack Mode)

Shadow of the Colossus is an epic open-world experience like no other. The vast lands are almost entirely empty and feel both lonely and alive. The goal of the game is to defeat the many Colossi that inhabit the world. These towering creatures pose unique challenges for players, with each boss requiring a different strategy for victory.

The game is a masterclass in minimalism. With a singular goal to follow, the game features stunning landscapes and challenging boss sequences, creating a timeless atmosphere, unlike any other game. The Colossi feel like an extension of the landscape and feel both mysterious and ancient like the world itself is fighting against the character. Shadow of the Colossus is a cult favorite for many gamers, with a rich world filled with creatures of legend, waiting to be defeated.

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