I normally like to take a stance on an issue like this, but this time, I just don’t know.
I just wrapped up the 2013 Tomb Raider reboot and was left wanting just a bit more. I had a blast with this game and enjoyed almost my entire time with it. I am not a Tomb Raider purist so I don’t have the older games to compare.
Upon reaching the end, the story had somewhat of a satisfying conclusion, but the boss fight was non-existent. Sure, there was a final boss segment, but it amounted to a few quick-time events and a fan-service shot of Lara with two pistols.
As the credits rolled, I couldn’t help but ask myself, “That’s it? I just went through a life-changing experience with Lara and all I got to show for it was Lara Two Pistols.” Yes, I know that shot meant more to long-time fans, which is why I’m joking.
That said, the alleged final boss fight never rose to the caliber I am used to. It didn’t feel all that difficult. Sure, there was a somewhat tougher Big Oni fight, but it was not that memorable.
I came prepared to write about how video games should have a final boss fight and one that is tough. I started thinking, however, and started wonder if that should be true.
Thus, I arrived at my conflicted thoughts.
I love RPGs and action-adventures. Often, those games have memorable final boss fights, often with larger-than-life presentations, that put to test the skills you have learned over the course of the game.
Even outside of those genres, many games have some kind of “final boss.” Fighting games usually have one final fighter that is one of the toughest in the game. Heck, even Guitar Hero gives you one final song that is usually the most difficult in the game.
To me, it’s always made sense to have a final boss. That said, I think there may be cases where a game may eschew the typical final boss in favor of a final cinematic or something similar.
Of course, that may not click with everyone, but neither did the cliffhanger finale in The Sopranos. It was an artistic choice that, for better or for worse, left people talking to this day.
In the case of Tomb Raider, I can see the rationale behind it. As flimsy as the story for that game can be, there still seemed to be a plotline where a mortal Lara Croft shouldn’t fight the Sun Queen Himiko.
Sure, that works in some, or most games, but in terms of this story, as flimsy as it may be, it makes sense. That’s not to say I’m not disappointed in it though.
The Tomb Raider reboot shifted up gameplay to align more closely to franchises like Uncharted. The first Uncharted game, however, still had a memorable final gun fight on the ocean liner and that was perfectly suitable for that game.
That shows there still is a place for final boss fights in these cinematic-type games.
I think if you ask me my personal preference, I would say I prefer games to have some type of memorable final boss. But the question is if a game should, and I don’t think all should, especially if it feels forced.
Most games will likely fall in the category of needing a final boss, but there is a small group out there where it may not be necessary. Rather, they utilize a more creative way to end the game.
I think I’m OK with that.
What about you? Do you think all games should have a final boss? Is there an exception to that formula? What are your preferences? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Crystal Dynamics (via The Young Curmudgeon)
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