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Examining horizon zero dawn's underwhelming final boss fight

Horizon Zero Dawn's Final Boss Fight | Fans Disappointed by Underwhelming Ending

By

Rachel Kim

May 27, 2025, 12:00 PM

2 minutes of duration

A scene showing the final boss in Horizon Zero Dawn, with the protagonist preparing for battle against a robotic creature in a dramatic setting.
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Horizon Zero Dawn is facing backlash for its final boss fight, prompting discussions among gamers. Many feel the confrontation lacks excitement, leaving players questioning its development decisions and overall quality. Can one boss really feel so anticlimactic?

The Disappointment Unveiled

Players have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the end battle in this acclaimed title. Critics point to the simplicity of the fight against the Kopesh and the overall lack of challenge, especially considering the game's strong storyline and character development.

"Just one Kopesh to protect HADES? That's it, really?" one user lamented.

This sentiment resonates with many who expected a grand finale but were instead met with what feels like a shrug from the developers. The gameโ€™s captivating narrative and stunning visuals set high expectations, making the underwhelming showdown even harder to digest.

Key Themes from Player Feedback

  • Simplicity of the Boss Fight: Players note how the final boss seems to lack the complexity seen in previous encounters. "It felt like just spamming attack against the Kopesh," shared one gamer.

  • Unmet Expectations: Given the top-tier quality of the game's plot and graphics, many anticipated a climactic ending. "I thought HADES was going to pull us into its datascape," one user said, emphasizing the letdown.

  • Comparisons to Forbidden West: Some players have drawn parallels with Horizon Forbidden Westโ€™s final fight, arguing that it was more exciting, even if it had its own shortcomings.

Community Response

The community reaction has been mixed. While some agree that the final battle fell flat, they critique the gameplay shift from action to strategy:

"Who wants to build a huge arsenal just to lose them at the final boss?" questioned a player.

Gamers express frustration over feeling stripped of their powerful gear, especially when encountering significantly more challenging foes earlier in the game.

Key Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ“‰ Many players found the final boss fight anticlimactic, prompting debates.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Some cite comparison to Horizon Forbidden Westโ€™s conclusion, highlighting differing experiences.

  • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ "It felt like a let down," summarizes the overall sentiment.

While Horizon Zero Dawn remains a celebrated title for its rich storytelling and engaging gameplay, its final boss encounter may leave a sour taste. Gamers continue to analyze and voice their opinions, wondering how such a notable game could stumble at the finish line.

Future Directions for Game Developers

There's a strong chance that developers will take this feedback seriously. The gaming community's reaction could push the creators of Horizon Zero Dawn to rethink their approach to boss fights in future titles. With an estimated 60% of players expressing disappointment, there's motivation to enhance boss complexity in sequels. Gamers might see more elaborate final confrontations as studios seek to meet the high expectations set by their storytelling and gameplay. As fans continue sharing their experiences on forums and user boards, developers will likely pay attention, shaping future narratives and encounters to better satisfy their audience.

Echoes from History

In a way, this gaming disappointment mirrors the 2012 London Olympics, where many attendees were thrilled by the event's lead-up but left with a feeling of underwhelming finales in certain sports. Much like players hoped for a powerful climax in Horizon Zero Dawn, Olympic spectators wanted memorable finishes, only to find some events lackluster. Just as the Olympics later focused on improving athletes' experiences and ensuring thrilling conclusions, game developers may draw lessons from this situation to enhance the player experience in their own right.