10 Video Games That Reused Bosses (And Made Them BETTER)
1. Kuze (Yakuza 0)
Kuze is one of the three captains of the Dojima family in the Ryu Ga Gatoku series prequel Yakuza 0. He is also one of the first bosses you fight. After Kiryu beats his way to the top of an office building he is finally set upon by Kuze, a former boxer turned enforcer, and ultimately the yakuza version of a caporegime.
The first fight is tough and, compared to your later fights against him, not nearly as interesting - mostly because by the time you get to him, Kiryu only has a handful of moves available in his repertoire and very low health. It quickly turns into a game of cat and mouse - get a couple hits on Kuze if you can, then get out of the way before he counters you.
It’s realistic, certainly, considering their difference in fighting skill and experience at that point. But when you fight Kuze in the sewers, the whole show’s totally different. After a badass cutscene, Kuze swings a huge pipe at Kiryu and the facial expression as his boss battle theme “Pledge of a Demon” starts up: a combination of “I’m gonna kill you” and “Oh my god, did you just block a lead pipe?” Chef’s kiss! Fantastic battle.
You fight him after that, too, but it’s that sewer battle that’s the absolute best.