Gabriel and Minos Prime
Gabriel and Minos Prime are two of the most iconic and challenging bosses in the fast-paced first-person shooter Ultrakill. Both figures serve as monumental encounters within the game, testing not only a player’s reaction time and accuracy but also their understanding of the game’s mechanics and narrative. Gabriel, the Judge of Hell, and Minos Prime, a remnant of fallen justice, represent themes of power, redemption, and damnation. Their lore, fighting styles, and roles within the story elevate them from mere combatants to symbolic figures within Ultrakill’s chaotic universe. Knowing how to face Gabriel and Minos Prime is vital for players aiming to complete the game at higher difficulties.
The Lore of Gabriel
Gabriel is introduced as the Judge of Hell, a powerful angelic figure who serves divine justice with unwavering resolve. His presence is felt long before he appears, hinted at through cryptic messages and environmental storytelling. When players finally meet Gabriel, it becomes clear that he views humanity and machines with contempt, seeing the protagonist, V1, as a threat to divine order.
Gabriel’s Role in the Game
Gabriel appears as a boss in multiple layers, primarily in Acts 1 and 2, and serves as a major story pillar. His speeches and attacks are laced with righteousness, making his battles feel like ideological duels as much as physical ones.
- Layer: 5-4 ‘Clash of the Arms’
- Personality: Proud, zealous, unwavering in faith
- Purpose: To stop V1 from disturbing the divine balance
The Lore of Minos Prime
Minos Prime, unlike Gabriel, is not introduced with fanfare but emerges as a hidden, powerful presence. Found in the secret level 6-1 ‘Wrath,’ Minos Prime represents a corrupted king once a just ruler, now transformed into a tormented force of vengeance. His voice speaks of regret and sorrow, and his battle with V1 is filled with sorrowful rage.
Minos Prime’s Significance
Minos Prime acts as a foil to Gabriel. Where Gabriel is blinded by pride, Minos Prime is burdened by guilt. His appearance is shrouded in lore fragments, and many believe he symbolizes the fall of true justice in Hell.
- Layer: Secret level 6-1 ‘Wrath’
- Backstory: Former ruler of Hell who lost his way
- Theme: Fallen justice, punishment of corruption
Fighting Gabriel: First Encounter
Battle Overview
The first battle with Gabriel is one of the most intense encounters in Ultrakill. Players face him in a tight arena, and his moves are fast, deliberate, and deadly. Gabriel uses a mixture of melee attacks, light projectiles, and teleportation. His fighting style is aggressive, leaving little room for error.
Key Mechanics
- Sword Strikes: Quick and powerful melee attacks with large hitboxes
- Holy Blasts: Ranged light-based projectiles that punish careless movement
- Teleportation: Gabriel can disappear and reappear instantly to flank or chase players
Tips for Victory
- Use slide-jumps and dashes to avoid his melee combos
- Keep your distance to bait ranged attacks, then punish during recovery
- Use hitscan weapons like the railcannon for precise damage during his teleport phases
Gabriel’s Second Encounter
In Act 2, Gabriel returns, changed by his defeat and now even more dangerous. His second phase, Gabriel, Awakening, features faster combos, enhanced projectiles, and altered speech, showing a deeper madness and desperation to assert control. His attacks are less predictable, and he can chain his abilities together much more rapidly.
Advanced Battle Strategy
- Memorize his new move patterns and look for brief pauses in his animation for openings
- Utilize weapons with crowd control or high burst damage like the rocket launcher with magnet combo
- Don’t stay in corners Gabriel’s AoE attacks are punishing in tight spaces
Fighting Minos Prime
Unlocking the Battle
To reach Minos Prime, players must unlock the hidden P-1 level by accessing secret terminals and completing the necessary steps within the Wrath layer. This unlocks a confrontation that many consider the hardest fight in the entire game.
Battle Overview
Minos Prime is a close-combat powerhouse. He doesn’t use traditional weapons or projectiles instead, his attacks are large, sweeping punches and devastating shockwaves. The entire fight is about reading his movement and staying one step ahead.
Minos Prime Abilities
- Fist Slam: A delayed ground punch that causes shockwaves
- Dash Punch: Fast lunges that close the distance quickly
- Multi-hit Combos: Rapid attacks that can stunlock unprepared players
Combat Tips
- Watch his wind-ups closely his animations telegraph his next move
- Use vertical movement to avoid shockwaves and melee combos
- Weapons like the sawblade launcher or shotgun with core eject are effective
Symbolism and Contrast
Gabriel and Minos Prime serve as narrative mirrors. Gabriel represents rigid order and control, a being that sees himself as a divine executor of justice. Minos Prime, on the other hand, is the embodiment of justice lost his failure to uphold true fairness leads to his transformation into a monster. Together, they highlight the central themes of Ultrakill: the fine line between judgment and tyranny, and the consequences of losing sight of balance.
Story Themes
- Pride vs. Regret: Gabriel clings to pride, while Minos is haunted by his past
- Judgment: Both characters serve as judges, but through different lenses
- Humanity and Power: They challenge V1’s motives and the player’s actions
Rewards and Legacy
Defeating both Gabriel and Minos Prime is more than a simple victory it’s a rite of passage in Ultrakill. Their fights are some of the most beloved and talked-about moments in the community. Players who overcome these bosses often gain bragging rights, unlock new lore entries, and sharpen their mechanical skill for even tougher challenges to come.
Post-Battle Outcomes
- Gabriel’s defeat triggers story progression and changes his character arc
- Minos Prime drops lore hints about Hell’s history and fallen rulers
- Unlocks new music tracks and challenge modes for completionists
Gabriel and Minos Prime are not just enemies in Ultrakill they are integral to its storytelling, world-building, and thematic identity. Facing them requires patience, precision, and an understanding of their motivations. Whether you’re drawn to the heavenly fury of Gabriel or the tragic wrath of Minos Prime, both characters elevate the game’s atmosphere and intensity. Mastering these fights means mastering the very soul of Ultrakill.