Why Do People Not Like Elden Ring Bosses? A Deep Dive
Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed open-world RPG from FromSoftware, has captivated millions with its sprawling world, intricate lore, and challenging gameplay. However, not everyone sings its praises. One of the most consistent criticisms leveled against the game centers on its boss encounters. While many revel in the difficulty and sense of accomplishment after a hard-fought victory, others find the bosses to be frustrating, tedious, and even unfair. The reasons for this dissatisfaction are multifaceted, stemming from issues of design philosophy, combat mechanics, accessibility, and player expectations.
At its core, the dislike for some Elden Ring bosses boils down to a perceived imbalance in the gameplay loop. Bosses are often seen as hyper-aggressive damage sponges with unpredictable attack patterns, delayed attacks, and seemingly endless stamina. This is compounded by input reading (the game reacting to player inputs rather than predetermined AI), which can lead to frustrating situations where dodges are rendered useless, and attacks are punished before they even land. Coupled with the massive damage output of many late-game bosses, this can result in a feeling of helplessness, especially for players opting for solo melee builds. While the game can be approached in countless ways, often players feel pushed towards specific builds or strategies, which limits the game’s inherent freedom. The game’s difficulty can become artificially inflated through these design choices.
Another key point of contention is the length and complexity of boss combos. Many bosses can unleash a barrage of attacks, leaving players with minimal windows for counterattacks, turning what should be strategic combat into a waiting game of dodging and desperately chipping away at the boss’s health bar. This feeling is especially palpable when using slower weapons, which are further penalized due to longer recovery animations. Some critics also note the game’s relative lack of poise in comparison to previous Souls games, which means a player is more likely to be staggered or interrupted during attacks, further limiting opportunities for aggressive play.
The camera system also is a common complaint. While serviceable in most situations, it can become a major detriment during boss fights, especially in enclosed arenas or against large, mobile bosses. The camera’s tendency to lock onto the boss can limit the player’s field of view, making it difficult to track the boss’s movements and anticipate incoming attacks.
The re-use of boss models and move sets further contributes to the feeling of disappointment. While some level of enemy recycling is common in open-world games, Elden Ring repeats certain bosses, or at least their move sets, quite frequently. This not only reduces the sense of novelty but also cheapens the experience, as players feel like they are fighting the same enemy with a different health bar. This issue is also prevalent with some of the “open-world bosses” which provide less of a challenge and a more predictable encounter, which doesn’t satisfy most players.
Elden Ring, by design, promotes experimentation and adapting to challenges. However, some players believe this adaptation is not always rewarded. Respeccing, or reallocating stats, requires rare and limited resources, making it inconvenient to change builds on the fly. This forces players to commit to a specific playstyle early on, which may not be optimal for all boss encounters. Additionally, reliance on spirit ashes (summonable AI allies) becomes almost mandatory for some players, leading to the perception that the game is designed around their use rather than offering them as a helpful tool, or as a personal choice.
Ultimately, the perception of Elden Ring’s bosses is subjective and varies from player to player. While some revel in the brutal challenge and the satisfaction of overcoming adversity, others find the experience to be artificially difficult, tedious, and unbalanced. The lack of accessibility options, coupled with the game’s emphasis on obscure mechanics and a steep learning curve, can further alienate players who are new to the Soulsborne genre, or who simply prefer a more forgiving experience. The difficulty curve is also a source of frustration, with some early bosses being relatively easy, while later bosses experience a massive spike in difficulty and damage output. This has resulted in many discussions on balancing in the game.
These issues also lead to discussions about the purpose and design of difficulty in video games. Does artificial difficulty (inflated stats and cheap tactics) enhance the experience, or does it detract from it? Elden Ring’s bosses push the boundaries of what many players consider “fair” and the debate surrounding their design is likely to continue for years to come. Examining these design choices and their impact on player experience is an important aspect of game studies, with resources and research readily available at the Games Learning Society to deepen the understanding of learning and engagement in games. https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/
Elden Ring Bosses: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes Elden Ring bosses so difficult?
Elden Ring bosses are difficult due to their high health pools, aggressive attack patterns, delayed attacks, unpredictable combos, and high damage output. Some players also believe the game uses input reading, making dodges less reliable.
Are Elden Ring bosses harder than other Souls games?
That’s subjective! Some players find them harder due to the increased aggression and complex combos, while others find them comparable to bosses in other Soulsborne titles. The open-world structure provides more opportunities to over-level, and the use of spirit ashes, further increases the game’s accessibility. However, it remains one of the most difficult games to beat.
Is it mandatory to use spirit ashes to beat Elden Ring bosses?
No, it is not mandatory, but many players find them essential, especially for solo melee builds. Spirit ashes can distract bosses, allowing players to create openings for attacks. The game is designed to offer a variety of options and strategies, and spirit ashes are one of them.
Why do some players complain about “input reading” in Elden Ring?
“Input reading” refers to the boss AI reacting directly to player inputs, such as dodging, rather than following a predetermined pattern. This can make it difficult to predict and react to boss attacks, leading to a feeling of unfairness.
Is there an easy mode in Elden Ring?
No, Elden Ring does not have an official easy mode. However, players can use various strategies, such as over-leveling, summoning spirit ashes, and using powerful weapons and spells, to make the game easier.
Which Elden Ring starting class is best for beginners?
The Vagabond is often recommended for beginners due to its high starting health, strength, and vigor, allowing players to withstand more damage and equip heavier weapons.
What are some tips for defeating Elden Ring bosses?
- Learn the boss’s attack patterns: Observe the boss’s movements and animations to anticipate incoming attacks.
- Time your dodges: Proper timing is crucial for avoiding damage.
- Use spirit ashes: Summon spirit ashes to distract the boss and create openings.
- Exploit weaknesses: Experiment with different weapons, spells, and items to find the boss’s weaknesses.
- Over-level: Level up your character to increase your health, stamina, and damage output.
- Don’t be afraid to summon help: There’s nothing wrong with calling for help, and it’s part of the game.
What is the weakest boss in Elden Ring?
The Soldier of Godrick is widely considered the easiest boss, serving as a tutorial enemy.
What is considered the hardest part of Elden Ring?
The Crumbling Farum Azula is often cited as the hardest area, containing challenging enemies and bosses like Maliketh and Dragonlord Placidusax.
What are rune bears weak to?
Runebears are weak to Fire damage and slashing damage.
Who is the hardest first boss in Elden Ring?
Margit, the Fell Omen, is generally considered the hardest early-game boss due to his aggressive moveset and tricky combos.
What makes Elden Ring so creepy?
Elden Ring’s creepiness stems from its focus on death, body horror, and the disturbing consequences of the conflict between Outer Gods.
Are Elden Ring bosses fair?
Whether or not Elden Ring bosses are “fair” is subjective and depends on individual player experience and expectations. Some players find the challenge rewarding, while others find it frustrating and artificial. The game relies on a certain degree of obscure mechanics which need to be researched outside the game.
Does killing a boss prevent co-op in the area?
Yes, defeating a boss typically prevents summoning other players for co-op in that specific boss arena’s vicinity, but it doesn’t affect summoning in other areas of the game.
What are some alternatives to Elden Ring for players who don’t enjoy the difficulty?
Players looking for less challenging experiences might enjoy games like Horizon Forbidden West, The Witcher 3, or even some of the easier levels in the Assassin’s Creed series. These games offer open-world exploration and engaging stories with a more forgiving difficulty curve. Alternatively, they may enjoy a souls-like game on an easier setting, if it offers those options.