10 Gaming Boss Fight Tropes That Need To Die

Much of what I'm discussing here relates to patterns - patterns of movement, phases, or the repetition of cycles, and one which comes up time and time again, is temporary invincibility.

To explain further, each and every gamer on the planet will, at some point or other, entered into single combat with a boss, dodged for a bit, then dealt some damage, only for the boss to - somehow - render itself invincible for ten to twenty seconds (at which point minions usually spawn in an attempt to overwhelm the player).

The latest Marvel Ultimate alliance title - The Black Order - is a prime example of this, though it is by no means alone. There, armed to the teeth and ready to roll are 'Cap, Tony, Ghost Rider and Deadpool, trading fire and punches to the face with Loki, M.O.D.O.K, Mysterio, or whoever, when they suddenly retreat from the player and render themselves temporarily invincible.

Why not just do that for the whole fight?

It is a trick as old as gaming itself, and modern players are savvy enough to see through the facade and recognise it for what it is: a cheap tactic designed to prolong repetitive combat.

It has to go.