“Malenia is just super cheap”: Hidetaka Miyazaki Is the Godfather of Some of the Most Evil Boss Fights but Elden Ring Missed the Mark Many Times

by

Among game development studios, FromSoftware is highly esteemed and consistently successful. One aspect that sets them apart is their creation of some of the toughest yet satisfying boss battles ever seen in video games. The games by Hidetaka Miyazaki are renowned for their high difficulty level, and they also feature memorable boss characters. However, they aren’t flawless; there are instances where challenges could be better balanced.

2022 saw the release of Elden Ring, undeniably one of the greatest games ever crafted. FromSoftware certainly delivered a winning blow with this title, yet it wasn’t without its flaws, particularly in the realm of boss battles. Ironically, the game’s most iconic adversary serves as the prime illustration of these shortcomings.

Elden Ring has some problematic bosses

In Elden Ring, the formidable bosses not only capitalize on skills players have mastered during their journey but also impart fresh insights. For instance, Margit, an early adversary, demonstrates the importance of patience and shows us how some bosses can employ lengthy, intricate attack patterns. However, there are exceptions to these rules, such as Malenia who seemingly disregards them entirely.

Comment
byu/slashlmao from discussion
inEldenring

Malenia, a challenging optional boss, can only be encountered at the base of Miquella’s Haligtree within Elden Ring. Despite her elegance, aggression, and distinct mechanical traits – hallmarks of a fantastic FromSoftware boss – she is often criticized for having a design that strays beyond being “difficult but fair” and veers into apparent brokenness by many gamers.

In the Soulsborne series, the Waterfowl Dance stands out as a memorable and challenging attack. The issue isn’t solely about the damage it inflicts, but more so its precise dodging requirements. If you’re already at a distance from her, it can be evaded, but when she uses it in close proximity, the window for successful dodging is narrow and frequently unattainable.

To emphasize, not only does she possess the ability to siphon life and restore herself with each strike she inflicts on you, it’s almost as if she carries her own healing potions. One moment you’re evading her seemingly senseless attack, and the next, you realize that all the damage you’ve accumulated has miraculously been restored.

Commander Gaius is AWFUL
byu/sungodra_ inEldenring

The frustrating aspect is that she’s not the only one who has issues, as even the dragon bosses in Elden Ring are a hassle to battle. This isn’t about difficulty; instead, it’s due to the fact that the large and giant bosses in the game create problems with the camera system since you frequently need to get close to them to dodge their attacks. However, this also means that you can’t see many of their actions clearly.

Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoft probably didn’t see it coming

There’s also the case of Commander Gaius from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, who is often criticized as a difficult boss. We engage him while he’s on his large mount in an open area, and he repeatedly uses a charge attack with an unusually expansive hitbox. This means that even if you manage to dodge it, the back end of his mount can still unexpectedly strike you. Additionally, he frequently moves around the battlefield, making the entire encounter a frustrating experience.

A key aspect of Miyazaki’s games lies in making bosses serve as educational encounters rather than merely tough opponents. Although many players considered Malenia to be the epitome of Elden Ring’s challenge, she can also be seen as a misstep in FromSoftware’s otherwise exceptional boss creation. Ultimately, Malenia embodies both the greatest strengths and weaknesses of Elden Ring.

While Elden Ring has achieved remarkable success, it’s evident that certain boss battles didn’t quite meet expectations. The boss encounters in FromSoftware’s games are typically challenging, but what sets some bosses in Elden Ring apart is not their difficulty level, but rather the flaws in their design.

Read More

2025-02-17 13:32