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Stage Boss Fights Are the Worst Video Game Mechanic of All Time
Polygon.com • • technology
Key Points:
- Multi-stage boss fights, where bosses transform and heal between phases, often frustrate players by undermining the sense of achievement after depleting a boss's health.
- Souls games frequently use multi-phase bosses, but players expect this, making it less aggravating than in games without such expectations, where the mechanic feels like a "kick to the stomach."
- The difficulty spike in second phases can create an arbitrary barrier, especially when players must repeatedly clear a tough first stage before learning the new moveset.
- Well-executed examples like Ganondorf's fight in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom show multi-stage bosses can be iconic and enjoyable without excessive difficulty or healing.
- Suggested improvements include preventing bosses from healing between phases and adding checkpoints after each stage to reduce frustration and maintain player engagement.
