I’ve had a bit of a ‘Love, Hate’ relationship with the souls games over the years. 

On one hand I love them, have a great time with them and my platinum trophy for Bloodborne is the trophy I have that I am most proud of. That said, I don’t think I’ve ever played a game type that stresses me out more than a Souls game. There’s little in my gaming life more upsetting and down heartening than trekking through a level only to be one-shotted by an enemy and losing all your souls. In many ways, the bosses are the least stressful part of the game for me… which brings me to the challenge I have given myself.

I’ve completed DS3 already, but over the last week, I’ve developed the urge to get back in, so over the weekend I re-downloaded the game and got back into the drivers seat. As I’ve completed the game already, I wanted to set myself a challenge. I’m going to allow myself to invite friends into the game, but I will be solo killing every boss. Tips, tricks and company through the levels are perfectly fine, but when we get to that boss door, my companions will be politely asked to leave so I can face these behemoths on my own. I’m going to keep a loose eye on the platinum trophy as I go, but I’m not going to hold myself to that till I have finished the game. It’s quite possible that this challenge will break me, but if you’d like to join me on my journey, then follow me on Twitch, or see my uploaded boss battles as I do them below.

Unfortunately It wasn’t until I reached the ‘Curse-Rotted Greatwood’ that I decided to document this process, so I don’t have evidence of Iundex Gundyr or Vordt of the Boreal Valley, so for now you will have to take it from me, that I’ve beaten these bosses on my own during my DS3 career. If I’m not completely destroyed, I do plan to go back and beat them again independently, but I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep. Make no mistake, this planned solo boss run is going to be a massive effort on my part so I may be a broken man by the end of it. 

Bosses

Iundex Gundyr

Beaten

The first time I ever played this game, this boss scared the life out of me. I think a lot of what turns people off to Souls games is the way many fans speak about the game. I was terrified to play these games for years and it wasn’t till I visited a friends house and we tried it together than the reputation of these games started to dissipate. By time I got back to this boss on this play-though I knew what to expect and dispatched this guy without too much hassle.

**Evidence Not Saved… Sorry.

Vordt of the Boreal Valley

Beaten

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m going to have to come back and beat this boss again on my own and record it. I have beaten this boss solo, but I got here before I wanted to document this step and I had a friend with me as my thinking was that I’d beaten this boss alone before, so it didn’t matter. Now I’m making this series, it feels a little dirty. So I will return to this one with an update once It has been beaten solo and recorded.

**Evidence Not Saved… Sorry.

Curse-Rotted Greatwood

Beaten

This boy actually fell easier than I thought. I beat this one on the 2nd attempt and if I’m honest, after the first attempt I thought I was in trouble. I did it though and I’m pleased to have another one in the bag.

Crystal Sage

Beaten

I always get nervous when a new boss comes along and the first fight doesn’t go well. “Will I be able to do this? Am I going to embarrass myself?” Turns out this one was OK as well. Didn’t take too long and by time it was done, I had smashed it in with no real hassle. Onwards and upwards.

Deacons of the Deep

Beaten

The thing that gives me rage in Dark Souls games more than anything else is being stun locked repeatedly. This boss is an absolute nightmare for that. As you will see from the video, the rage was taking hold. That said, it’s actually quite an easy boss. Onto the next one.

Abyss Watchers

Beaten

Can’t really complain when you one shot a boss. This guy takes an absolute pounding from your hits. If you can stay out the way more often than not, it’s pretty straightforward… at least for me it is. It’s weird how some bosses in this game can be a nightmare for some and a breeze for others and then flip on the next boss.

High Lord Wolnir

Beaten

Another inexplicable one shot. First time I played this game, this guy gave me no end of bother. Somehow I managed to get through this one first time. Get his rings, stay away from smoke… job done.

Pontiff Sulyvahn

Beaten

I absolutely hated this son of a bitch. I’m just downloading the proof that I beat this guy as I type and it looks like I was stuck on the Pontiff for over two hours… two hours of pain and hardship that I have no interest in ever facing again. I suppose that’s what I get for beating the last two bosses on my first try.

Yhorm the Giant

**Not Yet Reached**

Aldrich, Devourer of Gods

**Not Yet Reached**

Dancer of the Boreal Valley

**Not Yet Reached**

Dragonslayer Armour

**Not Yet Reached**

Oceiros, the  Consumed King

**Not Yet Reached**

Champion Gundyr

**Not Yet Reached**

Lothric Younger Prince

**Not Yet Reached**

Ancient Wyvern

**Not Yet Reached**

Nameless King

**Not Yet Reached**

Soul of Cinder

**Not Yet Reached**

 

Trophy Count

The Dark Souls – Platinum

Supreme Weapon Reinforcement – Unlocked

Master of Infusion – Unlocked

Master of Sorceries

Master of Pyromancies

Master of Miracles

Master of Rings – Unlocked

Master of Expression

Ultimate Bonfire – Unlocked

Ultimate Estus – Unlocked

Enkindle – Unlocked

Embrace the Flame – Unlocked

To Link the First Flame

The End of Fire

The Usurpation of Fire – Unlocked

Lords of Cinder: Abyss Watchers – Unlocked

Lord of Cinder: Yhorm The Giant – Unlocked

Lord of Cinder: Aldritch, Devourer of Gods – Unlocked

Lord of Cinder: Lothric, Younger Prince – Unlocked

Covenant: Warrior of Sunlight – Unlocked

Covenant: Way of the Blue – Unlocked

Covenant: Blue Sentinels – Unlocked

Covenant: Blade of the Darkmoon – Unlocked

Covenant: Rosaria’s Fingers – Unlocked

Covenant: Mound-Makers

Covenant: Watchdogs of Farron – Unlocked

Covenant: Aldritch of Faithful

Untended Graves – Unlocked

Archdragon Peak – Unlocked

Iudex Gundyr – Unlocked

Vordt of the Boreal Valley – Unlocked

Curse-Rotted Greatwood – Unlocked

Crystal Sage – Unlocked

Deacons of the Deep – Unlocked

High Lord Wolnir – Unlocked

Pontiff Sulyvahn – Unlocked

Dancer of the Boreal Valley – Unlocked

Dragonsalyer Armour – Unlocked

Old Demon King – Unlocked

Oceiros, the Consumed King – Unlocked

Champion Gundyr – Unlocked

Ancient Wyvern – Unlocked

The Nameless King – Unlocked