Analyzing Boss Design: Death's Door

[@blackswordsmanyuudai2361]

AYYYYY DEATH'S DOOR!!!!!! I'm so fucking happy to see Death's Door being talked about at all, one of my most favorite games of all time. I want to play as a raven again

[@glowchips7386]

Oh this was NOT what I expected, I’m absolutely excited to see it though

[@elvisp684]

Wow great video! Im not really a big fan of soulslikes so i hope you keep making vids about games like this as well🙌

[@Wyatt3023]

You got great editing and writing, keep it up bro

[@matusmajer9219]

Crazy I just finished it today and you released this video, love to see it

[@alfredoalfredo5319]

Loved the video, coincidently released only a couple of weeks after my first (and immediate second umbrella) playthru. First and foremost, I can't believe i completed 2 playthrus of the game and didn't realize the Grey Crow doesn't have a post fight funeral scene!? It's such a well made deliberate choice on the devs's part. Second, I sooo agree Betty is a low point in the game. To follow up the Urn Witch and the Frog King, who have amazing fights and are both compelling and original characters as well, with "Hey, remember the Titan Souls Yetti?" Is such a let down, specially after the climatic moment at the Crows' Camp. We do diverge in a few points tho. That being the Lord of Doors's and The Gravedigger's fights. The first phase of the Lord of Doors is a very welcomed obstacle sequence that traverses the whole game. (Tho I understand they were going for a more frenectic experience, and the hookshot get's the job done the best, I still find the lack of engagement with the other tools to be a missed opportunity.) The later half of the fight didn't impress much tho. Imo it overrelies on previous bosses' moveset to the point it feels like it was rushed. Rub salt in the wound, the fights it takes the most from are Betty (it even got the bitch side swipe) and Door Guarding. Which makes sense given both are very generic mechanically, and thus, are well suited for recycling. Where as the remaining bosses' movesets are very particular to their fight and character. (I mean, imagine recycling any of the Grey Crow's moves, it would be criminal!) The other point of divergence is the post game epilogue. It's commonly held by the players as a dull collectathon, which i think is underselling quite a bit. Making it nighttime for the first time and seeing the NPC'S nighttime activities and the Lost Cemetery completely quiet and disbanded made for such a strong impression on me. And some of the puzzles in it really felt like a culmination of DD's ingenious puzzle philosophy. (The whole thing reminded alot of Tunic, a good contender for a boss analysis video, adding in a bit a comparing its boss design to DD's would be really interesting). And it leads to my favorite fight in the game... I adore the Gravedigger fight! I found it to be a very hard hitting climax and a satisfying secret final boss fight. I got really emotionally involved with the character thru out the game, much more than with the Grey Crow, and i view their send off as very necessary and well built into the narrative. And regarding the gameplay, I find it the best skill test fight in the whole game, the moveset is simple but original, it's challenging but not annoying or unfair... And, yes, all bosses dance to banger music, but wow, the music on this one goes haaard... It checks my every mark for secret final boss fight. I like the fight so much that the thought of not doing it in my umbrella playthru felt wrong, so I did it and it was amazing. And best all, that's where the game ends! Put Gravedigger's gravedigging days to the grave and move on! Nothing to see past this point. There is absolutely no stupid Titan Souls tie in letdown of an ending after this 😔. Well, those are my thoughts overall. I do have a question tho, why did you ignore my boys/girlies/nb palls the spell upgrade guardians? I really appreciate them as skill check fights. I understand they are optional non-story related fights, but they definately warrant one dedicaded segment imo.

[@TheAkasharose]

Yeah - Betty was insanely underwhelming. I'm even a huge Titan Souls fan, but and one or two references can feel earned, but Betty just feels out of place as a result. Though the Lord of Doors does steal a lot from Betty, the change in frame data makes them a lot more satisfying to fight. It's the same moves, but the Lord of Doors fits the pace of the game well enough that I get lost in that second phase. And I do love some of the nighttime puzzles - finding relics was the only point where it started to drag for me. And it's really nice to hear someone who loved the Gravedigger! Having her be a secret boss definitely feels fitting, but especially compared to the scale of the fights that proceed, it feels too simple. I don't necessarily wish she was at the same level of scale, only that there was a bit more than the screen becoming discolored to build towards the fight as an emotional finale. The introduction and exit of the fight, though, are picturesque. I'm a sucker for tears physically becoming a part of design, and the Gravedigger hits that well. I think the Crow still boasts my favorite track - there's an incredible sense of momentum in that song. And I had debated discussing the Avarice gauntlets and upgrade bosses - but they've always felt more like elite mobs to me. I have a couple replies in the comment about how much I like the specific designs and adjustments on each, I definitely enjoy them! (Also, I've had Tunic on my wishlist for a while - good to know it does capture a piece of that same puzzle/exploration vibe that I loved here!) Thanks for sharing all the thoughts - always cool to read!

[@ShinxBOOM247]

Oh hell yeah, Deaths Door time! If there's any major points I can think of in terms of gameplay notes and such I'll make this a thread, but if not, I'll just enjoy the video as usual :3

[@JaxNissen-um1md]

DEATHS DOOR MENTIONED!!!! I love this game so much, and is by far the best peice of art I have played through this year. I love how minimal it is, it is just so beautiful to me 🤩

[@TheAkasharose]

David Fenn's score creates some absolutely breathtaking moments - and I've always loved Acid Nerve's dedication to gorgeous ambiance while you explore their world.

[@Crimson350]

Love your videos, hope you get round to lies of P one day. P.s. Titan souls is also amazing

[@JuliusCaesar103]

Grime next? Or maybe Sundered? Indies have some games with awesome boss fights, love to see this

[@nightcore4208]

Nine Sols would be my recommendation, it's got a great story and is the best instance of a 2D sekiro-like/parry simulator I've played

[@JuliusCaesar103]

@nightcore4208 looks cool but only on pc sadly

[@TheAkasharose]

Oh, I've got a major list - I love indie games! Don't get me wrong, I love my large scale games, but sometimes indie games have some incredible gems. I'm already penning scripts for FURI and Cuphead, and Nine Sols, Grime, and Blasphemous have been on my Wishlist for a while! Haven't heard of Sundered, so I'll definitely look into that one!

[@JuliusCaesar103]

@@TheAkasharose hell yes!

[@Meehanj]

I’ve never played this game but it looks like a great one! That froggy boss looks amazing

[@TheAkasharose]

One must always show proper deference to the King of the Swamp, Lord of His Domain, Ruler of All He Surveys, Champion of The People, Keeper of The Five Oaths, First of His Name, Second of His Other Name, He Who is Without Middle Initial or Mercy, Destroyer of All Those Who Would Question His Rightful Rule or Look At Him Askance, Eater of The Vanquished, Devourer of The Indolent, Guzzler of The Non-Committal, Bestower of Wrathful Opprobrium and Fount of Most Wondrous Beneficence, All Glory to Him and His Mace! Holy Basher of Toads Not Frogs, But Really What Are Toads Anyway? Like Worse Frogs Right? Uglier Too, Smartest Creature In All The Land, Really Clever Like That Einstein Guy But More Handsome and- Okay Hit The Word Count

[@JZaiaGaming]

What would your opinion be on the Minotaur style enemies in those rooms with the chests? I can see them being viewed as more mini-boss enemies but they were definitely challenging with well constructed movesets

[@Disko42]

Very cool video, can you analyze the bosses from Cocoon next?

[@swan-cloud]

I do think the combat system actually shines better in the arenas than the bosses, but the bosses are also pretty alright.

[@TheAkasharose]

I love the arena challenges a lot too - and I was honestly even considering including the Avarice Chest battles on this list, because they feel like incredible culminations of their area!

[@swan-cloud]

@@TheAkasharose personally if i were to count them as bosses i'd put the hookshot avarice pretty up there like top 3, the post game one is also a pretty good highlight. oh and also what did you think about the silent servants (the spell upgrade "mini"bosses) ?

[@TheAkasharose]

I like those fights a lot - they also do a great job building towards the Lord of Doors. Their slams time out pretty close to the punches, and they introduce the freezing move you have to mash out of while also each having enough to make them unique while still feeling like variations of an enemy rather than repeated fights.

[@thephoenix8892]

You should absolutely start analyzing other soulslikes, I’m sure lies of p, stellar blade, and even lords of the fallen would do numbers

[@TheAkasharose]

Definitely on the list - I haven't had much time to play games in the last couple of weeks, so I haven't hopped back into Lies of P yet. Once I finish a couple playthroughs of that, it's definitely on the list of videos to make!

[@thephoenix8892]

@ hell yea 👌

[@JAI_SHREE_RAM12337]

Will you talk about lies of p

[@been_rly_n2_paragliding_lately]

You can play this game for free if you have a Netflix account. I'm only like halfway through it, but honestly it's not a bad little game so far.