Everyone knows that the first playthrough of a new Soulslike game is something special - and slaying Elden Ring bosses still delivers that rush - but we're getting to the point where FromSoftware veterans have seen most of what the studio's formula has to offer. Those gasps of awe are turning into the comfortable grind of New Game+ runs, or fresh playthroughs with new builds using wacky weapons (goodbye Uchigatana; I loved you in my first Elden Ring build, but you're too OP to keep).
Every FromSoft game since Demon's Souls has included at least a couple of 'gimmick' bosses to shake up the gameplay. These games became renowned for the frantic experience of trying to survive long enough to learn the timing of barely telegraphed, one-shot attacks from towering bosses, and by contrast, their gimmick bosses are almost amusing puzzles.
On your first playthrough, fights like Demon's Souls' Dragon God, Dark Souls's invisible Priscilla, or Dark Souls III's Ancient Wyvern are a palate-cleansing respite. But as you roll new characters or delve into successive New Game Pluses, they can start to just feel like annoying roadblocks; time-sinks you have to push past to get to the actual fun and challenging fights.
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