Final Fantasy XI featured special super abilities players could only use every two hours. Absolute Virtue could use all of them, repeatedly, was immune to everything, had 100,000 hit points, and auto-healed faster than Wolverine. That's not a boss; that's the Pokémon your little brother designs on the back of his schoolbooks.
So you get to the end of the level, after beating some stupid cars or whatever I don't fucking know. Then this fucking huge-ass dude comes down in a giant robot-man suit and starts wrecking your shit. Fuck! All the things I've learned, all the things I've applied aren't helping me! He's just fucking wrecking me!
"It's impossible for you to kill me."
— Nohman, Zone of the Enders
This is what hopelessness feels like. You'd do well to remember it.
"A woman wearing a mysterious suit. Her partner is a talkative AI program. While much about her remains a mystery, there's no doubt about her intention to kill. Avoid her to avoid dying. Fighting back is futile."
— Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux on Alex
It's time for the next "boss fight." I say that sarcastically because most people would define it as a fucking suicide.
— Max0r, An Incorrect Summary of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Simply enormous AI warship. So vastly powerful, the appearance of such usually means only one thing:
The end.
The end.
— AI War 2, on the Extragalactic War Flenser
Few survive an encounter with the most powerful Sith in the Galaxy.
Escape is the only chance of survival.
Escape is the only chance of survival.
— Tactical Guide, Darth Vader entry, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
"Do try to put up a decent fight, rat. But no matter how wildly you flail, you will never defeat me!"
— Palomides the Executioner, Radiant Historia
Millium: Wow, this is mega cool! He's really gonna duel the Radiant Blademaster! But is he really strong enough to beat him?
Jusis: ...He doesn't stand a chance. Receiving instruction from him would be one thing, but to duel a master like Viscount Arseid...
Gaius: Looks like the odds aren't in his favor, then.
Jusis: ...He doesn't stand a chance. Receiving instruction from him would be one thing, but to duel a master like Viscount Arseid...
Gaius: Looks like the odds aren't in his favor, then.
"Class VII, Musse, Ash! Begin two-pronged offensive! Here are your orders: Survive! No matter what it takes!!!"
— Rean Schwarzer, as he and Sharon are about to face McBurn and the students are about to face Campanella, The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III
"You must be defeated by Adam in order to proceed to the next stage of the story."
— Message displayed after beating Adam in the prologue, Bravely Default II
Tiny Tina: You try to attack the dragon, but your attacks do nothin'! The dragon attacks, and...
(The dragon kills the Vault Hunters with one attack)
Tiny Tina: CRITICAL HIT!
Mordecai: Great. Are we done now?
Lilith: Tina, uh — you can't start your campaign with a boss fight players can't win.
(The dragon kills the Vault Hunters with one attack)
Tiny Tina: CRITICAL HIT!
Mordecai: Great. Are we done now?
Lilith: Tina, uh — you can't start your campaign with a boss fight players can't win.
— Borderlands 2: Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep
"So! You have discovered me! Fool! Did you really think you could defeat me? You have no idea of my power! Bid farewell my friend! 'Tis the end for you!"
— Dr. Hammerstein, Nitemare 3D
"You must lose to Desolich!"
— Message displayed when Desolich is defeated in-game, AdventureQuest Worlds
"You could not beat me the first time you tried. I do not recommend trying again."
— Malgor after you either die to him or trade blows with him and survive long enough to get his HP to the point that the quest item drops and auto-turns in in order to complete the "Defeat Malgor!" quest during your first fight against him in AdventureQuest Worlds
