Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s biggest game to date, and its bosses are also some of the greatest in the studio’s history, with each one a testament to the agonizing reality of The Lands Between after Marika’s shattering of the Ring.
From the Scarlet Rot-afflicted Malenia to the haunting cosmic entity Astel, the sheer breadth in variety of boss fights has no doubt left even the most seasoned FromSoftware veterans staggered. However, there’s an important question to be asked: which one is game director Hidetaka Miyazaki’s favorite?
Starscourge Radahn Is Miyazaki’s Pick Of The Litter
In an interview with Xbox Wire Japan, Miyazaki was asked about the Elden Ring boss that’s his personal favorite, and his answer may surprise some, but is fascinating nevertheless:
I’m really confused, but it’s Radahn. He’s attractive as a character, and I also like the situation of the Radahn Festival. Along with the literal sense of festival and elation, I think there’s also a sense of loneliness and sadness that is typical of us.
Starscourge Radahn is no doubt one of the best bosses in the game. He isn’t just an incredibly strong demigod and a challenging foe, but also has a heartfelt and tragic backstory that adds a whole new dimension to his character. For instance, he learned gravitational magic just so his skinny steed, Leonard, could support his towering body.
However, while Radahn is his top choice, Miyazaki’s secondary picks are a bit puzzling, as they don’t have the same sort of reverence that Radahn has among players.
Miyazaki’s Runner-up Is An Elden Ring Speedrunner Favorite
Capping off his answer, Miyazaki mentions the runners-up for his favorite bosses in Elden Ring:
If I had to pick a runner-up, it would be Godrick (sic) and Rykard.
It’s understandable if these choices were baffling to you, considering Godrick the Grafted, one of the first proper bosses you fight in the game, doesn’t have anywhere near the emotional depth that Radahn has. In fact, he’s quite the opposite: a cruel demigod who stitched the arms and legs of soldiers onto his body to make himself stronger.
Although visually interesting, Godrick is also one of the easiest demigods to beat in the game. Players have devised several ways to cheese him, and one player even bested him with a Jesus build, by lobbing boulders at him constantly.
Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy is an interesting mention, though, as he’s the true form of the God-Devouring Serpent, after having merged with him in the reckless pursuit of immortality. There’s also a loathsome visual flair and fun in fighting the gurgling serpent-hybrid, unlike Godrick.
Miyazaki doesn’t elaborate much on how he picked his favorite Elden Ring bosses, but it can be ascertained that distinctive designs are definitely part of his criteria. Godrick’s gruesome multi-limbed body and Rykard’s serpentile form are fine evidence of that notion, but it’s no wonder that Radahn’s touching complexity ultimately reigned supreme.
