# What's the antidote to a summer of crappy boss fights?

> Onimusha: Way Of The Sword offers dynamic boss fights that reset summer's stale video game battles.
- Title: What's the antidote to a summer of crappy boss fights?
- Summary: Onimusha: Way Of The Sword offers dynamic boss fights that reset summer's stale video game battles. Onimusha: Way Of The Sword provides engaging boss fights…
- Keywords: onimusha, way of the sword, capcom, wolverine, control resonant, boss fights, video games, game theory, entertainment, culture, What's, antidote
- Source: AV Club — https://avclub.com/game-theory-onimusha-summer-of-crappy-boss-fights
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: onimusha, way of the sword, capcom, wolverine, control resonant, boss fights, video games, game theory, entertainment, culture
## Summer boss fights feel stale
I've been fighting enemies with whips in recent games, but summer boss battles feel lackluster and repetitive.

> I've been getting whiplash with my boss fights lately
## Onimusha: Way Of The Sword
Capcom's game features dynamic boss fights where player choices directly impact outcomes.

> Onimusha: Way Of The Sword (and its designers at Capcom)
## Player agency in combat
The game requires quick decisions on parries, blocks, dodges, or fighting through pain to succeed.

> With a battle system focused on enemies tossing out a huge variety of types of attacks
## Wolverine boss fights
Wolverine's boss fights involve repetitive combos and minimal player impact on the narrative flow.

> pressing up against one and feeling the invisible shape of a conversation from the design process
## Control: Resonant boss fights
Control: Resonant's boss fights feel like fighting an algorithm rather than a meaningful opponent.

> the game seems to believe that you make a battle bigger simply by making it longer
## Pacing differences
Onimusha uses shorter, energetic battles where both players take significant health damage quickly.

> Onimusha doesn’t really care how quickly I can get through a boss fight
## Why Onimusha stands out
The game's boss fights feel thrilling and personal, rewarding attentive play without excessive repetition.

> the duels in Onimusha feel genuinely thrilling, and even kind of personal
## The antidote effect
Onimusha's boss fights reset the summer's stale video game battles by prioritizing player engagement.

> I caught myself thinking something else: 'Fuck yeah, more fight'
## Contrast in player experience
Wolverine and Control: Resonant offer less engaging boss fights compared to Onimusha's dynamic combat.

> the result is to make killing the hundredth poor Reaver who winds up impaled on your claws feel far more like an expression of Wolverine's character
## Conclusion
Onimusha provides an antidote to summer's repetitive boss fights through meaningful player choices.

> I can't really think of a higher compliment I can pay it
## Key takeaway

Onimusha: Way Of The Sword provides engaging boss fights where player choices matter, contrasting with Wolverine and Control: Resonant's repetitive combat.